Arsenal cruise to comfortable PSG win to kickstart Champions League campaign – 5 talking points

ARSENAL 2–0 PSG: The Gunners put on a first-half performance at the Emirates to knock off French champions Paris Saint-Germain with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal secured their first Champions League victory of the season, defeating French heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates.

Kai Havertz started the Gunners off with a wonderful header midway through the first half. Bukayo Saka then increased the advantage with a free kick that eluded everyone and struck the back of the net.

Joao Neves came close to giving his team a lifeline, but his flicked attempt from a corner struck the crossbar. The visitors controlled the second quarter, but they struggled to produce any serious scoring opportunities.

Victory leaves Arsenal with four points from their first two European matches. Here are all of the Emirates’ talking points…

Kai Havertz scored again.

Former Chelsea player Kai Havertz, who scored 14 goals in all competitions last season, appears to be on track to surpass that total this season. He opened the score against PSG after beating Gianluigi Donnarumma in the air and nodding in Leandro Trossard’s cross.

Havertz had beaten the Italian the second time around. Earlier in the game, he threw the PSG goalie in a heap as the two battled for another ball.

This time, however, Havertz’s header found the net. The German now has five goals in all competitions this season and has once again quiet speculation that Arsenal should buy a more natural attacker.

Set-piece style

Arsenal has become one of the Premier League’s top set-piece scorers. Corners have become their specialty.

However, they took control of the game against PSG thanks to a free kick, which was not as beautiful as normal. After being fouled on the right flank, Saka recovered and blasted a low ball into the box.

Havertz and Thomas Partey both extended their legs, but neither received a touch. That looked to perplex Donnarumma, who allowed the ball to bounce in front of him and into the back of the net.

Merino finally makes its entrance.

Arsenal supporters were treated to another pleasure at the Emirates on Tuesday, in addition to their team’s impressive performance. Summer signing Mikel Merino made his Arsenal debut.

The Spanish midfielder has been sidelined since joining the club from Real Sociedad. However, he replaced fellow midfielder Thomas Partey midway through the second period.

He did not accomplish anything particularly noteworthy, but he was neat enough. Arteta will undoubtedly try to give him some minutes this weekend.

Barcola’s hot streak stops.

Bradley Barcola, a French winger, has probably been one of Europe’s greatest performers this season. He has six goals in as many league games before heading to North London.

However, he struggled to make much of an impression against Arsenal. Jurrien Timber kept him quiet ahead of his half-time substitution for Jakub Kiwior.

The Polish defense performed admirably while limiting Barcola’s options. Saka also put in his fair share of work, something Mikel Arteta would have been quite delighted with.

Statement sent.

Following their opening-day draw against Atalanta, Arsenal would have been eager for a win to kickstart their European campaign. And they certainly deserved their three points against PSG.

Given that the French giants are one of their most formidable opponents, the victory is all the more stunning. It should send a clear message that Arsenal is taking the competition seriously under Mikel Arteta.

It has also provided them some breathing room ahead of their forthcoming games against Shakhtar Donetsk, Sporting Lisbon, Dinamo Zagreb, and Girona. It is, of course, early days, but the Gunners appear to be a strong contender for promotion.