Arsenal went into their huge Champions League semi-final second leg clash against PSG knowing they needed a result in Paris.
Ousmane Dembele gave the French giants the advantage in the first leg and Mikel Arteta knew his side had to win on Wednesday to have any chance of progressing to the final on May 31.
The Gunners started really well could have scored a couple in the first half against Luis Enrique's side. Declan Rice saw his early header go wide of the PSG goal while Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard saw efforts brilliantly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It was the home side who took the lead, though, with midfielder Fabian Ruiz firing past David Raya with 27 minutes on the clock.
The goal came from a sloppy Rice touch, which resulted in the former West Ham man fouling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in a promising position. The resulting free kick was headed away by the Gunners but the ball fell to Ruiz, who sidestepped Martinelli and fired in from range.
It was a sucker punch to Rice and Arsenal, who had played well up until the goal. As Ruiz went to celebrate with his teammates, the TV cameras picked up Rice walking back to his position. The 26-year-old turned round to his teammates and encouraged them to do the same, urging the squad on with his hands.
It was a telling moment from the Arsenal man who continued to demonstrate his leadership skills throughout.
PSG went in at the break one-nil up against the Gunners, with a 2-0 lead on aggregate. Inter Milan progressed to the final on Tuesday evening after defeating Spanish giants Barcelona in a seven-goal thriller.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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