What PSG’s players privately felt about Arsenal before beating them in the first leg at the Emirates

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Paris Saint-Germain have a big advantage over Arsenal following their 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners were viewed by many to be the slight favourites to win the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash, but PSG got the better of them.

Luis Enrique’s side started the game magnificently and dominated the hosts in a way that nobody has done for a long time.

Arsenal got better after the first 20 minutes, but the damage was already done, and PSG now have a lead to hang on to in the second leg.

The French club’s players are glad to get the win for one particular reason.

What PSG players thought about Arsenal before beating them

Arsenal faced PSG earlier in the Champions League this season, in the league phase back in October.

The Gunners were utterly dominant that evening and picked up a 2-0 win. They made Enrique’s side look very, very average.

PSG are a completely different team now, and their performance in the first 20 minutes in the semi-final first leg at the Emirates was nothing short of incredible.

Even though Arsenal got much better as the game went on and arguably deserved to score a goal or two, the Parisiens deserve a lot of praise for their win.

Now, L’Equipe has shared an insight into what the PSG players were thinking about Arsenal on their way back to Paris.

Relayed on Foot Mercato, it has been revealed that many of Enrique’s men ‘found that the Gunners displayed an excess of confidence before the match’.

PSG players also sensed that Arsenal felt ‘untouchable’ after battering Real Madrid 5-1 over two legs in the quarter-finals.

Now, following the defeat, it has been claimed that Arsenal have come back down to earth.

What Arsenal need to do to beat PSG in the second leg

Arsenal need to be humble now and approach the second leg against PSG like they approached the two games against Real Madrid in the previous round.

Thomas Partey’s return will be a huge boost for the Gunners. The Ghana international will not only bring some calmness and control to the midfield, but he will also allow Declan Rice to push forward and Mikel Merino to start up top.

That will make Arsenal a lot stronger, but the one thing they need to do to get over the line is take their chances in the box.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli should’ve both scored in the first leg – Arsenal cannot afford to miss such opportunities in Paris if they want to make it into the final.