Arsenal's 2024/25 Champions League Journey: Full Match Recaps, Star Performers & PSG Semifinal Preview

Arsenal's 2024–25 Champions League Group Stage Match-by-Match Recap

Matchday 1: Atalanta 0–0 Arsenal

• Date: September 19, 2024

• Venue: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo

• Result: Draw

• Key Player: David Raya

• Match Stats: Arsenal had 46% possession, with an expected goals (xG) of 0.8 compared to Atalanta's 1.2.

• Summary: Arsenal began their campaign with a hard-fought draw, with goalkeeper David Raya making crucial saves, including a penalty stop, to secure a clean sheet.

Matchday 2: Arsenal 2–0 Paris Saint-Germain

• Date: October 1, 2024

• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

• Result: Win

• Goal Scorers: Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka

• Key Player: Bukayo Saka

• Match Stats: Arsenal had 35% possession, with an xG of 0.7 against PSG's 0.4.

• Summary: Arsenal secured a solid victory with goals from Havertz and Saka. Despite PSG's youthful lineup, the Gunners managed to control the game and keep a clean sheet.

Matchday 3: Arsenal 1–0 Shakhtar Donetsk

• Date: October 22, 2024

• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

• Result: Win

• Goal Scorer: Leandro Trossard

• Key Player: Leandro Trossard

• Match Stats: Arsenal dominated with 56% possession and an xG of 1.8 compared to Shakhtar's 0.7.

• Summary: Trossard's goal secured three points for Arsenal in a match where they controlled possession and created multiple chances.

Matchday 4: Inter Milan 1–0 Arsenal

• Date: November 6, 2024

• Venue: San Siro, Milan

• Result: Loss

• Key Player: David Raya

• Match Stats: Arsenal had 62% possession, with an xG of 1.8 against Inter's 1.1.

• Summary: Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, Arsenal suffered their first group stage defeat due to a solitary goal from Inter.

Matchday 5: Sporting CP 1–5 Arsenal

• Date: November 26, 2024

• Venue: José Alvalade Stadium, Lisbon

• Result: Win

• Goal Scorers: Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhães, Bukayo Saka (penalty), Leandro Trossard

• Key Player: Bukayo Saka

• Match Stats: Arsenal had 48% possession, with an xG of 4.0 compared to Sporting's 1.0.

• Summary: Arsenal delivered a dominant performance, with five different players scoring.

Matchday 6: Arsenal 3–0 Monaco

• Date: December 11, 2024

• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

• Result: Win

• Goal Scorers: Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus

• Key Player: Martin Ødegaard

• Match Stats: Arsenal controlled the game with 54% possession and an xG of 2.3 against Monaco's 0.5.

• Summary: A comprehensive victory that highlighted Arsenal's attacking prowess and secured their position at the top of the group.

Matchday 7: Arsenal 3–0 Dinamo Zagreb

• Date: January 22, 2025

• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

• Result: Win

• Goal Scorers: Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard

• Key Player: Martin Ødegaard

• Match Stats: Arsenal dominated with 63% possession and an xG of 2.4 compared to Dinamo's 0.1.

• Summary: Arsenal's attacking trio shone, with each contributing a goal in a commanding performance.

Matchday 8: Girona 1–2 Arsenal

• Date: January 29, 2025

• Venue: Estadi Montilivi, Girona

• Result: Win

• Goal Scorers: Ethan Nwaneri, Jorginho (penalty)

• Key Player: Ethan Nwaneri

• Match Stats: Arsenal had 61% possession, with an xG of 2.1 against Girona's 0.7.

• Summary: Nwaneri made history by becoming the youngest Englishman to score in the Champions League, leading Arsenal to a narrow victory.

📊 Group Stage Summary

• Record: 6 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss

• Goals Scored: 16

• Goals Conceded: 3

• Goal Difference: +13

• Top Scorers: Bukayo Saka (4 goals), Kai Havertz (4 goals)

• Top Assists: Bukayo Saka (2 assists), Leandro Trossard (2 assists)

• Key Player Stats: Kai Havertz led in duels won (34), while Gabriel Martinelli created the most chances (14).

Arsenal's group stage performance was marked by strong attacking displays, solid defense, and the emergence of young talents, setting a positive tone for their knockout stage endeavors.

🏆 Arsenal's Champions League Knockout Stage Journey (2024–25)

Round of 16 – First Leg

• Date: March 4, 2025

• Opponent: PSV Eindhoven

• Venue: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven

• Result: PSV 1–7 Arsenal

• Goal Scorers: Jurrien Timber (18'), Ethan Nwaneri (21'), Mikel Merino (31'), Martin Ødegaard (48', 73'), Leandro Trossard (49'), Riccardo Calafiori (85')

• Key Moments:

  • Arsenal fielded two teenagers, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, in the starting lineup.

  • Nwaneri became the third-youngest player to score in a Champions League knockout match.

  • Ødegaard's brace and Trossard's quick goal after halftime sealed a dominant performance.

• Stats:

  • Possession: 47%

  • Shots: 18

  • Shots on Target: 10

  • Pass Accuracy: 85%

  • Fouls Committed: 12

  • Yellow Cards: 1

  • Red Cards: 0

  • Offsides: 2

  • Corners: 6

Round of 16 – Second Leg

• Date: March 12, 2025

• Opponent: PSV Eindhoven

• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

• Result: Arsenal 2–2 PSV (Aggregate: 9–3)

• Goal Scorers: Bukayo Saka (22'), Gabriel Jesus (67')

• Key Moments:

  • Saka opened the scoring with a well-placed shot from outside the box.

  • Jesus doubled the lead with a header from a corner.

  • PSV managed a consolation goal late in the match.

• Stats:

  • Possession: 53%

  • Shots: 15

  • Shots on Target: 7

  • Pass Accuracy: 88%

  • Fouls Committed: 10

  • Yellow Cards: 2

  • Red Cards: 0

  • Offsides: 1

  • Corners: 5

Quarter-Final – First Leg

• Date: April 8, 2025

• Opponent: Real Madrid

• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

• Result: Arsenal 3–0 Real Madrid

• Goal Scorers: Declan Rice (58', 70'), Mikel Merino (75')

• Key Moments:

  • Rice scored two direct free-kicks, becoming the fifth player in Champions League history to do so in a single match.

  • Merino added a third with a curling shot from the edge of the box.

  • Camavinga received a second yellow card in stoppage time, reducing Real Madrid to ten men.

• Stats:

  • Possession: 49%

  • Shots: 14

  • Shots on Target: 6

  • Pass Accuracy: 86%

  • Fouls Committed: 11

  • Yellow Cards: 1

  • Red Cards: 0

  • Offsides: 3

  • Corners: 4

Quarter-Final – Second Leg

• Date: April 16, 2025

• Opponent: Real Madrid

• Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid

• Result: Real Madrid 1–2 Arsenal (Aggregate: 1–5)

• Goal Scorers: Bukayo Saka (65'), Gabriel Martinelli (90+2')

• Key Moments:

  • Saka redeemed himself after a missed penalty by scoring the opener.

  • Martinelli sealed the victory with a stoppage-time goal.

  • Saliba's error led to Vinícius Júnior's equalizer.

• Stats:

  • Possession: 45%

  • Shots: 12

  • Shots on Target: 5

  • Pass Accuracy: 84%

  • Fouls Committed: 13

  • Yellow Cards: 2

  • Red Cards: 0

  • Offsides: 2

  • Corners: 3

Semi-Final – First Leg

• Date: April 29, 2025

• Opponent: Paris Saint-Germain

• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

• Result: Arsenal 0–1 PSG

• Goal Scorer: Ousmane Dembélé (4')

• Key Moments:

  • Dembélé scored early, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.

  • Arsenal had a goal disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

  • Gianluigi Donnarumma made several crucial saves to maintain PSG's lead.

• Stats:

  • Possession: 52%

  • Shots: 10

  • Shots on Target: 4

  • Pass Accuracy: 87%

  • Fouls Committed: 9

  • Yellow Cards: 1

  • Red Cards: 0

  • Offsides: 1

  • Corners: 5

🔍 Semi-Final Second Leg Preview: PSG vs. Arsenal

• Date: May 7, 2025

• Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris

• Aggregate Score: PSG 1–0 Arsenal

Overview:
Arsenal faces a challenging task in overturning a one-goal deficit against PSG in Paris. The Gunners will need to display resilience and tactical acumen to progress to the final.

Key Factors:

• Arsenal's Attack: The attacking trio of Saka, Martinelli, and Ødegaard must capitalize on scoring opportunities and break through PSG's defense.

• Midfield Battle: Controlling the midfield will be crucial. Declan Rice's ability to disrupt PSG's play and initiate counter-attacks could be decisive.

• Defensive Solidity: Maintaining a solid defensive line to prevent PSG from extending their lead is imperative.

• Set-Pieces: Arsenal should exploit set-piece situations, where they have shown proficiency in previous matches.

Prediction:
Given Arsenal's away form and attacking capabilities, a 2–1 victory for Arsenal is plausible, potentially leading to extra time or a penalty shootout to decide the finalist.