On Tuesday night, Arsenal secured their first victory of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign with a confident 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Emirates Stadium. The atmosphere was electric as Arsenal fans returned for their first European match since their clash with Bayern Munich in April. The wet, gleaming pitch allowed both teams to maintain possession smoothly, but Arsenal’s physical superiority over the smaller PSG squad soon became evident.
For most of the first half, the game was evenly matched, with both sides showcasing moments of technical brilliance. However, Arsenal broke the deadlock when Leandro Trossard delivered a pinpoint cross that Kai Havertz headed past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Havertz’s sharp movement was key as Donnarumma, once celebrated for his Euro 2020 performances, was slow to react. The goalkeeper’s troubles continued in the second half when he misjudged a near-post delivery from Bukayo Saka, allowing Arsenal to score their second goal.
While Arsenal didn’t create many clear-cut chances in the final third, their solid defensive organization and tactical flexibility proved crucial in nullifying PSG’s attacking threats. The Gunners’ physicality and aggressive approach in duels effectively neutralized PSG’s forward line, which lacked a player capable of unlocking Arsenal’s defense.
The second half saw Mikel Merino make his much-anticipated debut, while PSG started to find some rhythm around the hour mark. Despite their growing pressure, Arsenal managed to maintain their lead and posed a threat on several counter-attacks.
Donnarumma made several key saves to keep PSG in the game, and the crossbar denied Joao Neves a potential goal for the French champions. However, PSG began to lose momentum as the match wore on. Although Arsenal couldn’t find a third goal to seal the win, they controlled the final stages comfortably, securing the victory.
Arsenal Player Ratings
Goalkeeper & Defenders:
David Raya (GK) – 6.5/10: Not heavily tested but kept another clean sheet, making a few smart saves, including efforts from Achraf Hakimi and Lee Kang-in near halftime.
Jurrien Timber (RB) – 7.5/10: Impressive performance against Bradley Barcola, though he was substituted at halftime, hopefully not due to injury.
William Saliba (CB) – 8.5/10: Calm and composed under pressure, with a key clearance to deny Randal Kolo Muani standing out.
Gabriel (CB) – 8/10: Made several crucial blocks and tackles, helping Arsenal adopt a more defensive approach in the second half.
Riccardo Calafiori (LB) – 6/10: Showed potential but needs to control his aggression better, as PSG exploited his side a few times, though he made some key defensive contributions.
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