Soccer

LAURA WOODS led Arsenal fans’ rage at the referee for a “robbery” against Paris Saint-Germain which saw Bukayo Saka denied a golden chance. Gunners supporters were dealt an early blow when Ousmane Dembele fired the French side in front in the Champions League semi-final after just four minutes.Bukayo Saka and Arsenal fans were livid with a decision that went against himCredit: GettyThe Gunners winger was penalised pressuring Nuno MendesCredit: Amazon Prime VideoThe linesman waved his flag after the left-back lost his balanceCredit: Amazon Prime VideoSaka was booked for kicking the ball away in frustrationCredit: Amazon Prime VideoBut as Arsenal pressed for an equaliser in the first half at the Emirates, referee Slavko Vincic felt one man in particular pushed too hard. Saka, 23, found himself in a battle with Nuno Mendes down the Arsenal right wing four minutes before the break.But as Saka gently put his hands on the PSG defender’s back, the Portuguese theatrically stumbled before a second touch from his opponent knocked him off balance. The Englishman nicked the ball and was ready to run clear at goal. READ MORE ON ARSENALThe assistant referee waved his flag to award a soft free-kick against Saka.And, when Vincic blew his whistle, Saka’s frustration boiled over and he kicked the ball away.So rather than having a glorious opportunity to level up, Saka ended up getting booked.And that led to a furious reaction from Arsenal supporters watching on at home – including Woods.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesShe tweeted: “Might be biased here but Saka is absolutely amazing. Just love him. Never a booking.”And plenty of others also vented on social media.Arsene Wenger almost gets stuck in lift on return to Emirates for Arsenal vs PSGOne blasted: “This is an absolute disgrace. Saka is through on goal here if the ref doesn’t give this… we are witnessing a daylight robbery rn.”Another wrote: “No comment.”A third added: “That’s never ever a foul from Saka. The linesman was standing literally two yards away.”A fourth commented: “Referee is calling this way too tight. Never a foul on Saka who would’ve been clear through on goal. Hate when referees reward defenders with those fouls. So soft.”A fifth fumed: “It is a scandal!”Arsenal ratings vs PSG as Raya saves keep Gunners in it and poor Odegaard subbed offARSENAL face an uphill battle next week.The Gunners suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their all-important Champions League semi-final home leg.Ousmane Dembele stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence when his first-time shot hit the post and bounced over the line just three minutes into the match.After a nervous start, it took the Gunners around 20 minutes to settle.But when they did, the momentum began to swing in their favour.Just moments into the second half, Mikel Merino finally put the ball in the net – only for it to be chalked offside after a lengthy VAR check.And Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard forced worldy saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.David Raya then produced stunning stop from Goncalo Ramos as the Gunners held on at 1-0.It’s not over – there is still at least 90 minutes to be played.But away from home, it will not be easy.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated Arsenal’s stars on the night…A sixth replied: “People saying that push from Saka was enough for a foul… game’s gone.”And a final user simply responded: “That’s not a foul.”Some others did point out the fact Arsenal fans should not be complaining after Jurrien Timber escaped giving a penalty away after sticking an arm out to impede Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Gunners were left bemoaning VAR early in the second half when Mikel Merino’s headed goal was chalked off for a marginal offside from a free-kick routine. They were also denied by two fine saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.Read More on The SunThe first saw him push away Gabriel Martinelli’s effort before superbly turning a Leandro Trossard strike past the post. Dembele’s goal proved the only game of the first leg – meaning Arsenal must win in the Parc des Princes next week to keep their dreams of winning the Champions League alive. More

ARSENAL face an uphill battle next week.The Gunners suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their all-important Champions League semi-final home leg.Ousmane Dembele fired PSG into the lead in the opening three minutesCredit: GettyThe Frenchman stunned the Emirates with a fantastic strikeCredit: ReutersOusmane Dembele stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence when his first-time shot hit the post and bounced over the line just three minutes into the match.After a nervous start, it took the Gunners around 20 minutes to settle.But when they did, the momentum began to swing in their favour.Gabriel Martinelli came close with an attempted volley following a cross in from the left at the end of the first half.READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd just moments into the second, Mikel Merino finally put the ball in the net – only for it to be chalked offside after a lengthy VAR check.The Gunners came close again shortly after, with Leandro Trossard’s low strike brilliantly palmed clear by Gianluigi Donnarumma.But they found themselves under more pressure towards the end of the second half.Luckily for them, PSG were unable to finish their chances.Most read in Champions LeagueJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesIt’s not over – there is still at least 90 minutes to be played.But away from home, it will not be easy.Here’s how SunSports Jordan Davies rated the performance….Arsene Wenger almost gets stuck in lift on return to Emirates for Arsenal vs PSGDAVID RAYA – 8Looked a bit rushed at times on the ball out from the back, thanks largely to the immense pressing and pace of Dembele.Soon after, following instructions from the bench, he began to go long more often with mixed success as Arsenal struggled to keep possession.But then came an incredible reflex save down to his right to deny Doue to keep the scores at 1-0. Had that gone in, it could have been all over.JURRIEN TIMBER – 5From the word go, the Dutchman struggled to contain PSG’s attack, and genuinely looked terrified when Kvaratskhelia sprinted at him in the opening minutes as Dembele made it 1-0.It is rare to see Timber look so frazzled against an opponent. This is just a reminder of the levels of a Champions League semi-final. Even the most talented can be made to look silly at times. Timber was having one of those evenings.Arteta responded by giving him a right earful on the touchline after a pass went astray. It was perhaps surprising that he was not taken off until the 83rd minute.Jurrien Timber struggled at timesCredit: GettyWILLIAM SALIBA – 7Arsenal’s rock again, under much more pressure than in both legs of the quarter final against Real Madrid, with some cute balls out to start Arsenal attacks.Held up Dembele well at times and was a nuisance in the box from attacking set-plays, playing his part in Merino’s equaliser only for VAR to spoil the celebrations.JAKUB KIWIOR – 7Was largely mistake-free against Madrid and started in the same fashion here, but his lack of physicality and pace was proving an issue, especially with the likes of Dembele and Hakimi nipping in and around him.But when Arsenal needed some diagonal balls sprayed out to the wings in search of some territory, the Pole was more than happy to step up and deliver with impressive accuracy.Confidence is now dripping off him – funny what starting a few games on the spin can do for you…MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7He made history at kick-off as the youngest Englishman and Prem player to play in a Champions League semi-final.And throughout, he was one of the calmest players on the pitch, even when he was up against it with Doue down his throat at some serious speed.With the hosts struggling to put together a few passes, his decision to invert more than usual – basically playing as a midfielder at times – worked well as the game wore on.He slipped in Martinelli that should have made it 1-1 before the break.Myles Lewis-Skelly was a calm presence in defenceCredit: GettyDECLAN RICE – 6Man of the Match against Madrid, this was a slight comedown. Nerves? Too much adrenaline? Whatever it was, Rice was not as impactful as he has been.It is harsh, but fingers can be pointed to him for Dembele’s goal, deciding to leave the Frenchman unmarked on the edge of the box to go and help Timber stop Kvaratskhelia.It was a costly decision, and other than a few runs – and what looked to be an assist for Merino – it was a quiet evening for the England midfielder.To be a big-game player, you need to turn up in every big game – no exceptions. A response in Paris is needed.MIKEL MERINO – 6Back in midfield with Partey suspended, the speed and intensity of this one looked to be too much for the Spaniard – who has spent the past few months leading the line.He was being run ragged, and just showed how much Arsenal miss Partey when he is absent – yet he still showed glimpses of what he can bring.Winning a free-kick seconds into the second half, his header was classic Merino, finding the bottom corner. However, his timing was off as VAR eventually showed with a lengthy offside check.Mikel Merino was deemed offside when he thought he’d put the Gunners levelCredit: GettyMARTIN ODEGAARD – 5What is up with Odegaard? You cannot knock his effort and his engine, leading Arsenal’s press diligently and passionately as always.But where is the magic on the ball we are so used to seeing from the Norwegian? He needs to be grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and creating something from nothing.Instead, he appears to be letting 90-minute performances pass him by without making his mark. Without him, Arsenal’s creativity is seriously lacking, and that’s a serious problem.Needing a goal in the dying moments, Odegaard was subbed off for Nwaneri. Says it all…BUKAYO SAKA – 7For the first 20 minutes, Saka was merely a spectator, and there was nothing he could do about it as his teammates struggled to give him the service to attack the right with venom.Gradually though, he began to cause mayhem with his mazy runs, first as a provider with a beauty of a back-post cross that Martinelli could only fling a toe at.It is a rare sight seeing Saka frustrated, but we saw just that as he picked up a yellow for kicking the ball away having been pulled up for a foul that definitely was not.Had the whistle not been blown, he would have been through and likely found the net. That was his best chance of the match.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6The Belgian had a daunting task leading the line in one of Arsenal’s biggest nights for years. It was a lot to ask of him and he did his best with the little service he had.An early yellow card did not help, tugging on Hakimi’s shirt, but it was arguably necessary to stop a deadly counter.His big chance came in the second half. Similar to Martinelli’s in the first half, it was a fine stop by Donnarumma yet you expect the net to bulge. Arteta could not believe it.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6He came into this game as a man in form, and with an incredible record of never losing when he scores, with 50 goals from 44 games in his Arsenal career so far.Goal number 51 should have been gobbled up when he looked destined to score down the right one-on-one. His finish was not clinical, the curl not curly enough to spin around Donnarumma.That ruthless quality is still missing from his game.Read More on The SunGabriel Martinelli missed two big chancesCredit: GettySUBSBEN WHITE (TIMBER, 83) – N/AETHAN NWANERI (ODEGAARD, 90) – N/A More

MIKEL ARTETA had to restrain Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover after a corner routine went horribly wrong.The incident occurred at the end of their 1-0 defeat to PSG in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.MIkel Arteta had to hold back a fuming Nicolas JoverCredit: RexThe set-piece coach lost his cool after a foul was given as Arsenal had a last-gasp cornerCredit: RexArteta then started his own argument with the officialGianluigi Donnarumma won the foul after being knocked over by Ben WhiteCredit: APWith just a matter of seconds left on the clock, Declan Rice stood over a corner as the Gunners desperately scrambled for an equaliser.Set-piece mastermind Jover walked out to the edge of his technical area and began to gesture towards his players.Rice then whipped the ball in but a foul was given as Ben White nudged PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.It made Jover furious and he angrily confronted the fourth official, seemingly annoyed at a foul being called.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArteta stepped in and had to pull him away from trouble.The TV cameras briefly cut away but by the time they returned to the boss just seconds later, Arteta had started his own row with the fourth official.Fans were unhappy with Jover’s antics and one said: “Set piece coach stinker and sent back to the bench.”Another added: “Mad he thinks he is the manager.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSA third wrote: “95th minute, game on the line, and Jover runs out to get his moment in the spotlight.”More commented: “Trying to be the main character too much get to the back.”Arsene Wenger almost gets stuck in lift on return to Emirates for Arsenal vs PSGArsenal ratings vs PSG as Raya saves keep Gunners in it and poor Odegaard subbed offARSENAL face an uphill battle next week.The Gunners suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their all-important Champions League semi-final home leg.Ousmane Dembele stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence when his first-time shot hit the post and bounced over the line just three minutes into the match.After a nervous start, it took the Gunners around 20 minutes to settle.But when they did, the momentum began to swing in their favour.Just moments into the second half, Mikel Merino finally put the ball in the net – only for it to be chalked offside after a lengthy VAR check.And Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard forced worldy saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.David Raya then produced stunning stop from Goncalo Ramos as the Gunners held on at 1-0.It’s not over – there is still at least 90 minutes to be played.But away from home, it will not be easy.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated Arsenal’s stars on the night…Yet Jover nearly worked his magic when Mikel Merino headed home a Rice free-kick, only for it to be disallowed for offside.Arteta and the rest of his coaching staff were getting increasingly aggravated at what they deemed as PSG time-wasting in the second-half.The manager was seen furiously pointing to his watch as Donnarumma ran the clock down for a 1-0 win. Arsenal head to Paris for the second leg 1-0 downCredit: Getty More

MIKEL ARTETA was preaching fire and brimstone, urging Arsenal’s supporters to ‘bring their boots’. In response, they turned the Emirates into a seething cauldron of white noise and Arteta’s men worked their wotsits off with a workrate bordering on mania. Arsenal face a battle to save their Champions League dreamCredit: GettyPSG won the first leg of their semi-final tie 1-0 thanks to Ousmane DembeleCredit: EPAThe forward struck early to give the visitors victoryCredit: GettyMikel Arteta and his Gunners were left frustratedCredit: GettyAnd yet it wasn’t enough because none of that sound and fury is a substitute for class.Because here were a team of nearly men, operating without a striker, the best taking on the finest team in Europe, who won this semi-final first leg through an early Ousmane Dembele strike but could have won by more.  Paris St Germain have now defeated all four of the English clubs in this season’s Champions League and unless Arsenal can conjure a minor miracle in the Parc des Princes next Wednesday, Luis Enrique’s men will reach the final in Munich on May 31. At their best, as in the first half-hour of this semi-final first leg, PSG purr like Enrique’s Barcelona side which ruled Europe back in 2017. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArsenal aren’t bottlers or chokers or any of those casual insults which are often tossed at them. They simply aren’t as good as PSG. Just as they aren’t as good as Liverpool. Just as they weren’t as good as Manchester City during the final two races. Even if their centre-forwards, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus had been fit and even if Gabriel had been able to partner William Saliba at the heart of defence.  Sure, Mikel Merino had an ‘equaliser’ ruled out for offside soon after half-time but PSG squandered two clear cut chances to kill them off late on. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThis was a clash between the two most famous clubs in Europe never to have been European champions. For Arsenal, a first Champions League semi-final in 16 years. For PSG, a chance to add another English scalp to their list of Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa.Arsene Wenger almost gets stuck in lift on return to Emirates for Arsenal vs PSGArteta, not usually one for press-conference soundbites, had Arsenal’made that order for Arsenal’s supporters to ‘bring your boots’. And there was something about the way the French champions had wilted at a raucous Villa Park a fortnight ago – when a 5-1 aggregate lead turned into a nervy 5-4 quarter-final win – which suggested they might be vulnerable in a hostile environment. Arteta was up on the big screen too before kick-off, urging his fans to demand every refereeing decision.Yet all of that fighting talk was rendered pretty meaningless after just three and a half minutes.Dembele needed just four minutes to put PSG aheadCredit: GettyArsenal’s lax defending will surely be cross-examined by ArtetaCredit: GettyDembele was granted the freedom of the Emirates to sprint forward from midfield, feed Khivicha Kvaratskhelia, then collect the Georgian winger’s cut-back to steer his shot in off the far post. Nobody had challenged PSG’s leading scorer as he ran forward and nobody had bothered to mark him when he scored. Didn’t they get the ‘bring your boots’ memo? Thomas Partey’s suspension meant Merino had to return to the day job in midfield after a successful stint as a false nine, with Leandro Trossard at centre-forward. Arsenal ratings vs PSG as Raya saves keep Gunners in it and poor Odegaard subbed offARSENAL face an uphill battle next week.The Gunners suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their all-important Champions League semi-final home leg.Ousmane Dembele stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence when his first-time shot hit the post and bounced over the line just three minutes into the match.After a nervous start, it took the Gunners around 20 minutes to settle.But when they did, the momentum began to swing in their favour.Just moments into the second half, Mikel Merino finally put the ball in the net – only for it to be chalked offside after a lengthy VAR check.And Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard forced worldy saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.David Raya then produced stunning stop from Goncalo Ramos as the Gunners held on at 1-0.It’s not over – there is still at least 90 minutes to be played.But away from home, it will not be easy.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated Arsenal’s stars on the night…Arsenal thought they had equalised through Mikel MerinoCredit: ReutersHe was declared to be offside after a lengthy waitCredit: AMAZON PRIMEBut Trossard was swiftly booked for tripping Achraf Hakimi on the break. Paris were looking irresistible early on – the speed of their passing and movement was mesmeric, Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue were dribbling their hearts out. The unpronounceable Georgian was terrorising Jurrien Timber who survived a very decent penalty shout and then somehow avoided a booking for kicking the winger up in the air. Enrique’s side had been beaten here 2-0 in the group stage seven months ago but they have evolved considerably since then. Doue had a shot smartly saved by David Raya, with Fabian Ruiz striking the post with his follow-up only to be flagged offside. Arsenal spurned several glorious chances including one from Gabriel MartinelliCredit: GettyLeandro Trossard saw a fine shot well saved by Gianluigi DonnarummaCredit: PAArsene Wenger, who never won a European trophy during more than two decades as Arsenal boss, was making a rare visit to the Emirates and he’d have approved of the visitors’ eye-candy football. The faithful were howling for a penalty when Merino was robbed by Joao Neves but it had been an excellent, clean saving tackle. There was an increased urgency about Arsenal in the ten minutes before half-time, exemplified by Martinelli making a crossfield dash to dispossess William Pacho, Saka then drifted left and centred but Martinelli was unable to stretch far enough to apply the finishing touch.Saka was booked for kicking the ball away, seething at being penalised for a soft foul on Nuno Mendes when he was almost clean through. And in injury-time, Myles Lewis-Skelly burst forward from midfield and fed Martinelli, whose shot was pushed out by Gianluigi Donnarumma.  PSG fans made themselves heard throughout the entire gameCredit: ReutersThey have one foot in the Champions League final, having already KO’d Liverpool and Aston VillaCredit: APJust 90 seconds into the second half, Arsenal thought they had equalised. Merino won the free-kick, Rice delivered it from the left and the Spaniard was able to net a simple header.Yet after a lengthy VAR check, when the robot linesman must have been having a fag break, Merino was ruled offside – perhaps the genius of set-piece coach Nico Jover is wearing off as a player should never be offside from a dead ball. The near-miss seemed to add extra fire to the Arsenal belly – Rice was soon marauding forward and feeding Trossard, whose angled shot was brilliantly tipped wide by Donnarumma.Read More on The SunLate on Bradley Barcola was clean through on goal but screwed his shot wide when he ought to have put the tie to bed. And Goncalo Ramos chipped against the bar as Arsenal threatened to subside. 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