Arsenal 2 - PSG 0 match report: calm, cool, controlled

Yesterday at 05:26 PM

An impressive performance from the Gunners.

Arsenal cruised to a 2-0 win over PSG in the Champions League at the Emirates this evening. It was an incredibly impressive performance from the Gunners — poised and in control from the opening whistle. In the Champions League. Against Paris Saint-Germain.

This wasn't some pushover, lower tier league, "happy to be here" club. Arsenal just beat the French champions, 6th-ranked side in Europe per Opta's Power Rankings comfortably. And the Gunners didn't look to be at their very best. They were solid, as ever, defensively, but they're still finding their groove on the ball without Martin Ødegaard in the fold.

Although Leandro Trossard is doing a pretty good impression thus far. The Belgian was excellent on the evening, setting up the first goal by beating a man, carrying the ball into the attacking third, then putting his service on a postage stamp for Kai Havertz to head home in front of Gianliugi Donnarumma, who came for the ball and didn't get particularly close.

The Italian goalkeeper didn't cover himself in glory on the Arsenal second goal, either. Bukayo Saka fizzed a curling free kick into the 6-yard box, towards the near post, several players ran across it but didn't get a touch, and it snuck into the net. It can't be easy for a goalkeeper when the ball is moving at pace, guys are flashing through your field of vision, and you have to stay ready to react should the ball get redirect, but he wound up looking rather foolish as he helplessly and inaccurately flapped at the ball as it went past him.

Arsenal's press was suffocating, particularly in the first half, which is saying something given the technician's PSG have in their midfield. The visitors could not get out of their own end with possession and in a position to create an attack. The Gunners' size advantage was apparent. They were bigger, faster, and stronger than PSG, and won basically every duel.

PSG mustered a bit more in the second half, although they only generated 0.4 xG for the match. Arsenal did a good job of keeping them out of dangerous areas. William Saliba, in particular, had an excellent game. Riccardo Calafiori was great in the first half and did a solid job in the second when he shifted to right back, where it's not clear he's ever played (you could tell, he looked a bit unsure at times). Jakub Kiwior defended Achraf Hakimi well, which isn't easy to do, particularly when you've hardly played this season as Kiwior has.

David Raya's distribution was excellent. Kai Havertz had another game where he seemed not to make any mistakes, won the ball countless times, and ran himself (and opposing defenders) absolutely ragged. Mikel Merino made his Arsenal debut and didn't waste any time putting in and winning challenges. His reputation as a duel-winning monster seems to be well-earned.

The only real question mark / potential negative coming out of the match was that Jurrien Timber came off at halftime for Jakub Kiwior. It didn't look like Timber was struggling, so I wonder if that was a planned sub to manage the Dutchman's minutes. He is coming back from an ACL repair and has had cramping / muscle issues this season. Timber had a really good first half, playing some physical defense.

Gabriel Jesus didn't impress in his substitute appearance, although it's difficult to do much as an on-ball attacker when you come into a match up 2-0 with the team looking to defend first. He'll play his way into form, but he's not there yet.

There really isn't much else to say about Arsenal's performance. There certainly isn't anything to criticize. They controlled the match and took all three points against one of the better teams in Europe.

It's a bit odd, actually. That was an excellent, excellent win from the side, one of their more impressive performances under Mikel Arteta, and it...wasn't all that exciting? Like, I'm thrilled they won and quite pleased with how they did it but it was comfortable. There wasn't much drama in the match. Arsenal took the lead, added a second, and it never really felt like there was much jeopardy in the result. I suppose that makes it an even better win.