Arsenal capable of 'special' win at PSG: Arteta

An early Ousmane Dembele strike has earned Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 win over Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

The France international opened the scoring on four minutes after he was left all alone in the Arsenal area and picked out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for a first-time finish that snuck in via the far post.

"We are at halftime, and my message is exactly the same as it was after we beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of the quarter-final," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.

"We have to go to Paris and win the game. We are more than capable of doing it.

"If you want to be in the Champions League final, you have to do something special. And we are going to need to do something special in Paris."

PSG had lost 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in the league phase in October but showed no hesitation in taking the game to Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Instead, it was the hosts that looked affected by the moment in their first Champions League semi since 2009 ? despite having beaten Real Madrid 3-0 at home in the quarters.

Kvaratskhelia caused the Gunners problems throughout and had a penalty appeal turned down in the 17th minute and a shot saved by David Raya in the 26th.

Raya made a better save in the 31st to deny Desire Doue as PSG continually was the more threatening team.

At the other end, Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Arsenal on the stroke of halftime with a one-handed save to keep out a shot from Gabriel Martinelli.

With former boss Arsene Wenger looking on in the stands, Arsenal improved in the second half.

The home side thought they had levelled shortly after the break when Mikel Merino headed in a free kick from Declan Rice, but it was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR check.

Substitutes Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos both had chances to double the lead late on when clear through on goal. But Barcola shot narrowly wide and Ramos rattled the crossbar to keep Arsenal in with a chance going into the second leg next week.

"It was a great night," PSG midfielder Vitinha said.

"We could have scored more but we are glad for 1-0 and we will do everything in our power to go to the final."

Both teams are looking for a first Champions League title. PSG lost to Borussia Dortmund at this stage last year.

Barcelona host Inter Milan on Wednesday in the other semi-final.

With PA.