Arsenal secured a vital 2-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Tuesday, with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, marking the Gunners’ first win in this season’s Champions League group stage.
The match at the Emirates Stadium showcased Arsenal’s dominance as they built on their opening draw against Atalanta, bringing their points tally to four in their pursuit of knockout stage qualification. After being eliminated by Bayern Munich in last season’s quarter-finals and narrowly missing the English title to Manchester City, Arsenal’s win highlights their strong start to the current campaign, now remaining unbeaten in nine games across all competitions.
Havertz opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a well-timed header, converting a precise cross from Leandro Trossard. The German forward, who transferred from Chelsea for £65 million last year, has shown marked improvement recently, amassing 21 goals and assists since February and silencing critics who labeled him a “waste of money.”
Saka, who captained the team for the night, doubled Arsenal’s lead before halftime, showcasing his skill as he cut in from the right and found the net with a curled shot. His performance, along with that of Havertz, underscored Arsenal’s attacking prowess and strategic dominance throughout the match.
In a boost for Arsenal, Spain midfielder Mikel Merino made his long-awaited debut in the final 30 minutes, having recovered from a shoulder injury sustained during pre-season. His return is particularly timely as the Gunners navigate the challenges of the season with Martin Ødegaard currently sidelined.
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, returning from a thigh injury, faced an early test, sprinting off his line to deny Gabriel Martinelli in the opening moments of the match. Despite the efforts of the French giants, Arsenal’s relentless pressure and tactical execution proved too much, earning them a crucial three points.
With this victory, Mikel Arteta’s side is well-positioned as they aim for silverware in both the Champions League and the Premier League, signaling their intent to contend on multiple fronts this season.
