It's Not Over: Three Things We Learned after Arsenal vs PSG

A lacklustre display both on and off the pitch leaves us with it all to do next week in Paris - but it's not over yet

Here's Ian Mills with his series Three Things We Learned as PSG vs Arsenal looms

1 - Atmosphere seemed flat

– the last time we were in the Champions League Semi Final in 2009, I attended the game and what was clear on my journey to the ground was the confidence amongst the Manchester United fans despite only leading 1-0 from the first leg at Old Trafford.

Despite a tremendous pre-match atmosphere where the club gave out free flags to cheer on the team, that confidence was not misplaced as two early opposition goals effectively killed the tie in the opening eleven minutes.

Fast forward to the modern day and despite a big build up to the club’s ‘biggest ever Tifo’ the underwhelming cartoonish Cannon seemed to set a precedent for the evening as Dembele’s early goal sucked the energy out of the atmosphere.

I must confess I watched this game from home with tickets hard to come by, however the crowd seemed incredibly subdued, and PSG dominated the opening half hour.

If felt as though the crowd needed the team to lift them and vice versa. It certainly did not feel as though I was witnessing a Champions League semi-final.

Our vociferous away support will need to be in their finest voice next week.

2 - Lucky to only be 1-0 down at ‘half time’

- boosted by their fourth minute lead, PSG outplayed us like no other side has done for some considerable time and there was a heart stopping moment when Kvaratskhelia wanted a penalty after some contact with Jurrien Timber. Then David Raya saved superbly from Desire Doue at the back post. After the break Joao Neves went close before Bradley Barcola thankfully screwed a great chance wide. Ramos then toe poked an effort off the crossbar.

Yet, while there is no doubting the task ahead, a 0-1 home defeat in Europe no longer carries the jeopardy of away goals rule and we are somehow still in this tie.

3 - Partey’s return could yet be key

– the moment our Ghanian midfielder got himself a late, mindless booking at the Bernabeu it felt like it would seriously harm our chances in this game, and so it proved as we missed him hugely in the midfield whilst Mikel Merino had to drop back to cover for his absence which further blunted our attack.

Partey’s return will see Merino restored as the focal point upfront.  Next week we have the balance of needing to attack whilst keeping vigilant in defence.

Before that we face Bournemouth in a very important game in our quest to secure Champions League football again next season.

While the temptation might be to rest a lot of the first team, my inclination would be to start a strong side as the team needs momentum to take to the French capital.