This was an intriguing battle between two of the UCL’s perennial bridesmaids, but it was PSG, embarking on a fourth European semi-final in the last six seasons, who broke the deadlock in the fourth minute.
Their opener came courtesy of a very familiar source, as Dembélé linked up brilliantly with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and dispatched a clinical left-footed shot in off the post, silencing a stunned Emirates Stadium.
It was the Frenchman’s 25th goal of this calendar year, and his 11th goal contribution in this season’s competition, setting a PSG club record.
The Gunners were struggling to cope with the intensity of Luis Enrique’s side, as David Raya was called into action to deny Kvaratskhelia, not long before making a superb one-handed stop to keep out Désiré Doué’s effort.
Arsenal rallied towards the end of the half without significantly testing Gianluigi Donnarumma, but there were signs of a real resurgence just seconds before half time, when the Italian made a fine one-handed stop to thwart Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal thought they had restored parity a mere two minutes after the restart, when Mikel Merino brilliantly headed home from Declan Rice’s free-kick, but the Spaniard’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Despite that frustration, it provided a boost for Mikel Arteta’s men, with Donnarumma called into action again to superbly keep out Leandro Trossard’s stinging strike.
All was seemingly going to plan for the visitors, but there was an unwelcome twist in store, as Dembélé was forced off with an apparent knock and replaced by Bradley Barcola.
Barcola looked to provide a quick impact from the bench, teeing up João Neves, but the Portuguese midfielder rifled his strike harmlessly over the bar.
Neves wasn’t done there though, and soon came much closer to adding his name to the scoresheet at the end of a delightful passage of PSG play, but his angled shot just missed the far post.
Gonçalo Ramos then looked to take matters into his own hands, but his unorthodox toe-punt strike cannoned off the bar.
Ultimately, Dembélé’s strike would prove to be the difference in London, and it sealed only a second win in the French champions’ last five games across all competitions.
Meanwhile, this defeat ends a 12-match unbeaten run for Arsenal, who have plenty of work to do in the French capital in eight days time if they are to secure a first UCL appearance in 19 years.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)