How can you lose the top goalkeeper if you want to win the Champions League?

Bukayo Saka will be "sealed" by Donaruma forever!

Arsenal's Champions League dream was eventually broken under Donnarumma's palms, just like Liverpool and Aston Villa. And of all Gunners, Saka is perhaps the most painful one.

In the two-leg Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, the Italian goalkeeper once again proved that he was the real nightmare for the English side. His performance not only surprised the fans, but also forced the opponent coach Arteta to bow his head after the game to admit: "Their goalkeeper is so outstanding, he is the key to determining the outcome of the game."

Donaruma: The ultimate nemesis of the English team

In the entire European history, it is not the first time that Donaruma has become the "terminator" of the English club. And in this two matchup against Arsenal, he once again dominated the game with nearly perfect performance.

In the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, he saved Gabriel Martinelli and Trosad's threatening shots; in the second leg, he returned to Prince Park, and although Arsenal strengthened the offensive, Donnarumma was still as stable as a rock, resolving the crisis again and again.

"Sometimes you really have to applaud your opponent." Arteta said helplessly after the game, "Their goalkeeper's performance - not just this game, but both games - directly determines the result of the series. The best player in this round is undoubtedly their goalkeeper."

The heroic save made Saka heartbroken again

Donnarumma, who is 1.96 meters tall, is not only full of shock, but his movement speed and reaction ability in front of the goal are even more amazing.

In the 4th minute, he made a lightning strike, blocking Martinelli's small penalty area and attempted alone; just four minutes later, he quickly fell to the ground and blocked Odgao's low shot from outside the penalty area.

The most shocking save appeared in the second half: facing Saka's long shot from outside the penalty area, the ball drew an arc and headed straight to the dead corner, but Donnarumma actually flew up as predicted and lifted this powerful and heavy shot out of the crossbar!

This scene almost instantly evoked the most painful memory in Saka's heart - in the 2020 European Cup final, he took the penalty at Wembley and was saved by Donnarumma, destroying the Three Lions' chance to win the championship.

Donaruma is not always highlighted

Ironically, just a few months ago, Donaruma was close to losing the position of the main goalkeeper of Paris Saint-Germain. Before challenging Liverpool's 8-finals away, club executives even considered excluding him from the starting list because his condition was fluctuating and occasionally fatal mistakes.

Donnarumma's career in Paris has not been smooth sailing throughout the season. His skills are still a shortcoming and he has also lost in key games. Even though he has made extraordinary achievements and helped the team enter the Champions League final in Munich, his future still has variables.

But for Saka, Trosad, Odgao and Martinelli, none of these matter. All they know is one thing: In this series, they face a goalkeeper who is almost invincible.

Data Speak: Arsenal's offense is blocked

From the data, Arsenal has created more than 5 expected goals (xG) in two rounds, far higher than Paris's 3. But they only scored 1 goal in the end. The problem is, of course, partly in the ending inefficiency, but more often, it is because of the existence of Donaruma—like an insurmountable fortress that completely bans the Gunners’ European dream.

For Saka, this feeling of weakness is particularly stinging. He had the opportunity to rewrite his fate, but was knocked down twice by the same opponent. Perhaps for a long time to come, whenever he stands at a penalty point or prepares for a long shot, that familiar figure, Gianluigi Donnarumma, will come to his mind.