Arsenal 2-0 PSG

A commanding Champions League performance against the Parisian billionaires funded by Qatari cash, saw victors Arsenal underline money isn’t everything.

On a filthy wet north London evening, Mikel Arteta’s side showcased teamwork, character, courage and commitment, being far more important than mere mammon, when assembling a side with genuine aspirations of challenging for Europe’s most lucrative club tournament.

First half goals by Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka put the home side in a winning position, after an energetic opening 45 minutes.

Arteta was rewarded for opting for an unchanged starting XI from the side that emerged victorious against Leicester City, at the weekend, against his former side he spoke so warmly about this week.

While Luis Enrique opted to drop the influential Ousmane Dembele for undisclosed disciplinary reasons – and it showed.

On eight minutes Saka, captain for the evening in Martin Odegaard’s continued absence, cut inside to unleash a fierce shot that flew narrowly past Donnarumma’s far post as the home side made their attacking intentions clear.

Their early dominance was rewarded after 20 minutes, when Havertz showed bravery by grabbing Arsenal’s opener, with the forward leaping to guide the ball into the net knowing PSG keeper Donnarumma was fast approaching Leandro Trossard’s cross.

On the half hour mark, David Raya blocked Hakimi’s near post effort after a flowing PSG move saw the PSG right-back display excellent pace to edge past Calafiori along the right channel.

Ten minutes before the interval, Saka scored to make it 2-0.  His free-kick outside the box evading everyone, including keeper Donnarumma, before ending up in the net to double the home side’s lead.

Jakub Kiwior slotted in at left-back after Jurrien Timber was taken off at half time, with Calafiori moving across to the Netherlands’ international’s right-back position.

On a comfortable evening for the Gunners, Mikel Merino made his debut, replacing Thomas Partey midway through the second half, as the home crowd roared their approval.

Mikel Merino gears up to make his Arsenal debut pic.twitter.com/VUROAgKq8h

— Layth (@laythy29) October 1, 2024