Arsenal produced an expert show to beat a youthful Paris Saint-Germain facet 2-0 on the Emirates Stadium and declare their first Champions League win of the season.
The Gunners opened the scoring within the first half when Kai Havertz ghosted between two defenders to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to Leandro Trossard’s teasing cross with a towering header.
Arsenal demonstrated their set-piece prowess for the second purpose, with Bukayo Saka, usually the supplier, this time the scorer as his near-post supply from huge on the appropriate bounced by way of a crowd of our bodies to outfox Donnarumma and fly straight in.
Arsenal had probabilities so as to add to their lead, with Trossard denied by Donnarumma from shut vary quickly after the second purpose, and Gabriel Martinelli twice capturing too near the PSG goalkeeper following the break.
Saka’s free-kick, from huge on the appropriate, went in by way of a crowd of our bodies
Luis Enrique’s new-look facet, shorn of the departed Kylian Mbappe and with a mean age of 23, created openings too, with Nuno Mendes clipping the put up from distance within the first half and Joao Neves later hanging the bar from a nook.
However Arsenal withstood their strain within the second interval, throughout which Mikel Arteta handed a debut to fit-again summer time signing Mikel Merino from the bench, the one concern being the half-time withdrawal of Jurrien Timber, with Arteta later saying the defender “felt something muscular”, including: “I didn’t want to take any risks.”
Following a goalless draw away to Atalanta of their opening Champions League recreation, the win takes Arsenal up into the highest eight spots within the league section desk, with PSG slipping to 18th.
Arteta: We confirmed we are able to compete with anybody
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in his press convention:
“I think it raises the confidence and the belief that we can compete with any team at this level in games that are very different to the Premier League.
“We confirmed maturity and put our stamp in Europe in opposition to the highest groups. I actually favored that.
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Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta says his facet ‘needed to show a degree’ in opposition to large golf equipment of their Champions League win over PSG
“I sensed something different in [the players] tonight. They wanted to prove a point. We can be ourselves and this is another step. We have to carry on with doing that.
“I feel they wanted this. I feel it is a particular evening in opposition to a giant European membership. It lifts the assumption and spirt of all people. It reveals we are able to beat them.”
Analysis: Havertz shines in statement win
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
This was supposed to be one of Arsenal’s toughest assignments of the league phase. And yet, save for an awkward period in the second half, the most striking thing was how routine it felt. In that sense, it was a statement win, a swatting aside of one of Europe’s top sides.
Paris Saint Germain’s Vitinha and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz in motion
Arsenal successfully performed two video games, exhibiting their ruthless offensive energy within the first half with one purpose from open play and one from a dead-ball; then falling again on their defensive prowess as PSG tried to rally after the break.
Quarter-finalists final 12 months, Arsenal appear like a facet able to going additional this time round, with Arteta speaking up their maturity in addition to their high quality after the sport.
It was a very productive night for Havertz, who continues to strengthen his place as Arsenal’s first-choice striker. His purpose was his fifth of the season in all competitions and his third in as many appearances following his strikes in opposition to Bolton and Leicester.
It was basic centre-forward play as he timed his run completely to fulfill Trossard’s exact, diagonal cross, exhibiting bravery to succeed in the ball earlier than the stranded Donnarumma.
However this was one other show that confirmed the Germany worldwide gives a lot greater than a presence within the field. At occasions, he might be seen charging round Saka on the overlap. At others, he was diligently defending his personal field. His depth and utility, everywhere in the pitch, sums up this Arsenal facet.
Havertz celebrates after scoring the opening purpose
“He has been unbelievable,” mentioned Arteta afterwards. “His football brain, the way he understands space, his timing, he brings people together. Hs work ethic is incredible and now he is a real threat around the box. He is one of our main players at the moment.”
Luis Enrique: Defeat is on me
PSG boss Luis Enrique in his press convention:
“It would be wrong to blame individuals. The defeat is on me. I am responsible.
“Gigi [Donnarumma] was on the similar stage of his team-mates, a great distance from the usual we would have liked to win the match.
“We were not able to overcome their pressing, they won every duel. A totally deserved defeat for us and a deserved victory for Arsenal.
“It is unimaginable to compete in the event you do not win a duel. Their defenders anticipated the actions of our strikers however we by no means anticipated their strikers. We had been a great distance off it from the primary minute.”
