BREAKING NEWS: Arsenal Fans Outraged Over Controversial Offside Call in Champions League Semi-Final.

Arsenal supporters are expressing outrage following a contentious offside decision that nullified a potential equalizer in their UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The match, held at the Emirates Stadium, concluded with a 1-0 victory for PSG, courtesy of an early goal by Ousmane Dembélé. 

The controversy centers around a second-half goal by Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, which was disallowed after a VAR review determined an offside infringement. Replays suggest that Merino was level with the last defender at the time of the pass, leading to widespread disbelief among fans and pundits. The decision has sparked accusations of bias against Arsenal, with some fans labeling the incident as “pure sabotage” and questioning UEFA’s officiating standards.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has previously voiced concerns over officiating decisions in European competitions, describing past incidents as the team being “very harshly done by.”  The club’s supporters are now demanding transparency from UEFA, calling for the release of VAR footage and explanations to justify the offside ruling.

This incident adds to a series of controversial decisions involving Arsenal in recent Champions League matches. In a prior quarter-final against Bayern Munich, both teams were denied penalty claims, leading to further scrutiny of refereeing decisions in high-stakes matches.

As Arsenal prepares for the second leg at the Parc des Princes, the team faces the challenge of overturning the deficit amid growing frustration over officiating controversies. The outcome of this tie will determine their pursuit of a spot in the Champions League final.