Mikel Arteta’s trophy drought summed up by shocking Arsenal trend that must change to keep Champions League dream alive

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Arsenal know that it is only half time in the Champions League semi-final tie.

Mikel Arteta would have been disappointed with the way his side began the game, Arsenal allowed Ousmane Dembele too much time and space to strike the ball brilliantly past David Raya.

Declan Rice gave a rousing team talk before the match but the Gunners were flat for most of the game at the Emirates Stadium and were fortunate not to end the match further behind.

Mikel Merino had a goal disallowed and Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into two fine saves. The Gunners now have it all to do in Paris but must break a worrying trend under Arteta.

READ MORE: Thierry Henry noticed one major PSG problem after Ousmane Dembele injury that Arsenal can take advantage of

Arsenal’s recent semi-final record under Mikel Arteta

The 1-0 defeat to Luis Enrique’s side was the latest set back in a long line of semi-final heartaches for the Gunners under Arteta.

Arsenal have now failed to win any of their last seven semi-final matches and have failed to score in their last six on that run.

Blanks against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup this season, as well as both legs in the semi-final of the same competition against Liverpool in 2022, means Nicolas Pepe is the last player to score in a semi-final for Arsenal.

That was in the first leg of the Europa League back in 2021 in a 2-1 defeat to Unai Emery’s Villareal, Arsenal drew the second leg 0-0 in North London to crash out.

If the unwanted streak continues for Arteta and his side, then Champions League glory will have to wait another season as the Gunners simply have to score in Paris.

Dembele’s injury blow gives hope to keeping PSG out at one end and Thomas Partey’s return to the side should enable Declan Rice and Merino to push further forward and give Arsenal more of a threat.

What Mikel Merino said about Arsenal’s Champions League chances

Arsenal’s Spanish star Merino is still confident that the club can break their goalscoring duck and turn the tie around in Paris.

Merino stated: “We know that Paris is a tough place to go but still we have proven always that we can compete against anybody. I think we are going to win the second leg.”

Arsenal’s lack of a cutting edge has haunted them throughout the campaign and is the reason why the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko are on the summer shopping list.

But for the here and now, the Gunners have history to chase and they cannot afford to spurn any more chances that come their way during the second leg.