Things couldn't have gone better for Arsenal. After Kai Havertz's early goal, the Londoners focused on their forte: defending. Paris Saint-Germain circulated the ball around the visitors' penalty area, yet they could not penetrate Arsenal's compact 4-4-2 rearguard. The Gunners cleared every cross, tackle and header out of the box, while long-range efforts sailed over the bar.
For 62 minutes, Europe's best defence neutralised its most potent attack. Arsenal achieved the seemingly impossible, shutting down the three dangerous Parisian forwards—Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—completely. In Munich, observers were left asking, "How on earth is that possible?" After all, PSG had scored six goals in the spectacular semi-final against Bayern Munich.
Ultimately, though, Arsenal's defensive wall crumbled where many had expected: at right-back. First-choice right-back Jurrien Timber was still building match fitness after more than two months out, and his deputy Ben White was also injured, so manager Mikel Arteta turned to third-choice option Cristhian Mosquera, a centre-back by trade. The 21-year-old Spaniard had made only five previous competitive appearances at right-back this season.
There, Mosquera came up against PSG's most dangerous attacker, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who had dominated this Champions League campaign. In the first half, the Georgian could not get a look in against the young Spaniard. Shortly after the restart, Mosquera was booked for time-wasting, adding further pressure to his already difficult task. Then, in the 63rd minute, Kvaratskhelia slipped past his marker and was brought down from behind in the box by Mosquera. Ousmane Dembélé stepped up and coolly converted the resulting penalty to make it 1-1.
Mosquera soon departed, allowing Timber to make his return on the biggest stage. PSG grew slightly more dangerous, yet rarely truly threatening. Kvaratskhelia then wasted the visitors' best chance to make it 2-1 in the 77th minute before being substituted himself.