Arsenal secured their first victory in the new Champions League format, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s men followed up their opening draw against Atalanta with a strong performance that saw first-half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka deliver a crucial win. Despite some nervy moments after the break, particularly when PSG’s Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves both struck the woodwork, Arsenal’s early dominance provided a solid platform for the victory.
Arsenal’s Early Control
The Gunners started brightly, imposing themselves from the first whistle and putting pressure on PSG, who were without the star power of former players like Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. Arsenal’s approach was to dominate possession and attack PSG down the wings, and it wasn’t long before their strategy paid off.
In the 20th minute, Kai Havertz rose high to meet Leandro Trossard’s perfectly floated cross. The German midfielder timed his run to perfection, beating PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to the ball and heading home from close range. It was Havertz’s first Champions League goal for Arsenal, and his sharp movement showed the attacking intent that Arteta’s side has cultivated.
Saka’s Set-Piece Magic
Arsenal continued to assert control, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard pulling the strings in midfield. Saka, in particular, was a constant menace to the PSG defense, drifting in from the right to create chances and stretch the opposition backline.
Just 15 minutes after Havertz’s opener, Arsenal doubled their lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances. Saka lined up a free-kick from a wide position near the touchline, and his in-swinging delivery caught Donnarumma off guard. With a packed penalty area obstructing his view, the PSG keeper was deceived by the flight of the ball, which sailed into the net without any contact. It was a moment of brilliance from Saka, who once again showed his versatility and creativity.
At 2-0, Arsenal were in full control, with PSG looking shell-shocked. The Parisians were struggling to cope with the pace of Arsenal’s attacking play, and their attempts to break forward were easily snuffed out by a disciplined Gunners defense led by William Saliba and Ben White.
PSG’s Response and Arsenal’s Nerves
Despite the deficit, PSG grew into the game, especially as the first half drew to a close. Nuno Mendes came agonizingly close to pulling one back for the French side when his powerful shot cannoned off the post, leaving Arsenal fans momentarily holding their breath. It was a warning sign that PSG still had the firepower to make life difficult for Arsenal.
The second half saw PSG ramp up the pressure, pushing Arsenal back into their own half. Joao Neves, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, nearly sparked a comeback when his effort struck the crossbar early in the second half. Arsenal, who had looked so comfortable in the opening 45 minutes, suddenly found themselves struggling to retain possession and control the game.
Mikel Arteta, however, remained calm on the touchline, urging his team to maintain their discipline and see out the match. Arsenal’s defense held firm despite PSG’s increasing pressure, with Saliba making several crucial interceptions and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale dealing with any dangerous crosses that came his way.
Mikel Merino’s Debut to Arsenal
As the game wore on, Arteta felt confident enough to hand a debut to Mikel Merino, the £31m summer signing from Real Sociedad. Merino slotted into midfield and provided some much-needed composure, helping Arsenal regain control in the final stages of the match. His introduction was a testament to the growing depth in Arsenal’s squad, a factor that will be crucial as they navigate the demands of both domestic and European competition this season.
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