Arsenal proved they’re more likely to be Champions League contenders this 12 months with a convincing 2-0 defeat of Paris Saint-Germain on the Emirates tonight.
Kai Havertz set them on their manner after 20 minutes and Bukayo Saka doubled the benefit not lengthy afterwards with PSG wanting light-weight within the absence of the departed Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, who was unnoticed for disciplinary causes.
Arsenal weren’t at their free-flowing finest however noticed out the second half with few alarms to register their first win within the competitors this season.
The primary interval was largely one-way site visitors with Arsenal dominating and PSG struggling to discover a manner via a frenetic press.
The guests had Gianluigi Donnarumma again in aim following a three-game absence as a result of a thigh harm and the Italy worldwide needed to be alert after simply three minutes to snuff out the hazard as Gabriel Martinelli tried to wriggle via.
Donnarumma was flying to his proper 5 minutes later however, fortunately for him, the shot from Saka flashed simply over the bar.
Havertz enjoys dwelling comforts – once more
The previous Milan stopper was at fault for Arsenal’s opener after 20 minutes, nonetheless. Leandro Trossard reduce in from the left-flank and clipped in a cross that was aimed for Havertz and the Germany ahead rose above Donnarumma and planted his header into an empty web.
Kai Havertz heads Arsenal into the lead 💥
How about that ball from Leandro Trossard? 👏#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/Glzghe7GQm
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) October 1, 2024
It was the sixth successive recreation on the Emirates by which Havertz has scored.
PSG had supplied nothing as an attacking menace within the first 27 minutes however nearly dragged themselves degree twice in 4 minutes.
First Nuno Mendes strode ahead from left-back and fired in a shot that clipped the foot of the right-hand publish earlier than going large. And shortly afterwards, right-back Achraf Hakimi acquired to the byline and his cross-shot required a wise block from David Raya within the Arsenal aim.
Arsenal prolonged their benefit 10 minutes earlier than the break. The set-piece specialists acquired a free-kick on the precise touchline and Saka’s low cross evaded the Arsenal gamers descending on the close to publish and drifted in with out a contact.
The set-piece kings are at it once more 👑
No participant may get a contact on Bukayo Saka’s free-kick which finally ends up beating the goalkeeper ✌️#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/uqrG8n5AXs
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) October 1, 2024
Arsenal stay in cruise management
The house aspect continued to look threatening after the break and solely a superb save from Donnarumma prevented Martinelli from making it 3-0.
Summer season signing Mikel Merino made his delayed Arsenal debut when approaching for Thomas Partey after 64 minutes and his introduction could have precipitated a little bit uncertainty defending set-pieces as PSG nearly discovered a manner again into the sport two minutes later.
Mendes’ left-wing nook was directed to the close to publish the place Joao Neves flicked it on to the bar with Raya crushed.
Raya was referred to as into motion once more after 68 minutes, re-adjusting his physique effectively to parry Lee Kang-In’s long-range shot.
Arsenal had been rising more and more content material to take a seat again and protect what they’d.
And that allowed PSG extra time on the ball they usually had two penalty shouts, neither of which got, the primary for a Riccardo Calafiori handball and the second when Randal Kolo Muani went down after a coming-together with Declan Rice.
PSG did not threaten once more, although, as Arsenal noticed the sport out with relative ease.
The Gunners now have 4 factors from their two video games following the Matchday One goalless draw at Atalanta.
