Arsenal put in a professional display, winning 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium over Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners scored two 1st half goals (Kai Havertz – 20′ and Bukayo Saka – 35′) and then defended deep for most of the 2nd half, extinguishing PSG attack after attack. Mikel Arteta’s gameplan worked to perfection.

The Gunners started brightly and were in the attacking mood early on and had most of the possession. They were looking to exploit the gaps between the PSG midfield and backline every chance they got.

Kai Havertz was very influential throughout the match, but in particular in the first half, when he was acting as an outlet – receiving the ball and then looking for Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli on the wings. The German also involved himself in the attack, making runs into the box and generally providing support to the wingers or full-backs.

Around the 20th minute, Leandro Trossard received the ball around midfield, dribbled through the PSG defense, until he was on the edge of their box, spotting Kai’s run and put in a perfect cross. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saw the ball’s trajectory and tried to punch it away. He was a split-second too late and Havertz headed it nicely past the Italian for the opening goal.

The Parisians tried to respond with left-winger Bradley Barcola getting down the left-side into the Arsenal box, but was defended well by Jurrien Timber – who intercepted the ball.

Left-back Nuno Mendes also came close to equalizing, when he found himself on the edge of the Arsenal box and shot, with it bouncing off the far-post out of play.

Finally, right-back Achraf Hakimi used his pace to get around Riccardo Calafiori and shoot, with David Raya kicking it out of play for a PSG corner, which was easily cleared by the Gunners.

Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber were combining effectively down the right with Saka winning a free-kick in a dangerous area. He stepped up to the ball and sent it into the box. There was a mess of Arsenal and PSG players crowding around Donnarumma, which obscured his vision and ability to move freely. The free-kick came flying in with many players flailing their bodies and legs at the ball. It miraculously went untouched, past Donnarumma’s attempt to push it away and into the net for the 2nd Arsenal goal.

A couple more half-chances were generated by the Gunners but nothing substantial to trouble PSG. At halftime, it was 2-0.

Right-back Jurrien Timber had to come off at halftime due to a muscular injury. This really hurt the Gunners attacking cohesion, as Riccardo Calafiori had to switch flanks with Jakub Kiwior coming in at left-back. Unfortunately, both players were unsettled and did not play their best football out of position.

PSG manager Luis Enrique knew he needed to generate more attacking chances in the 2nd half and instructed his team to do as such. This proved to be partially successful, especially after Mikel Arteta’s substitutions upset the harmony that had been so good in the 1st half. It also felt like the high-press tapered off for the North London side and they ceded field position, all the way to the edge of their own box.

PSG threw everything they had forward and generated some decent chances.

Bradley Barcola was getting by Calafiori pretty easily and banging in crosses, high and low. Centerbacks William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães defended these very well and cleared any and all ball’s into the box.

Once Luis Enrique subbed on striker Randal Kolo Muani (64th minute) their attack was much more fluid, now that they had focal point.

Right after the subs came on, PSG earned a corner that they almost scored on. João Neves was able to get a foot on the cross, it bounced into the dirt and then hit off the top of the post. Lucky for Arsenal and David Raya to avoid conceding a goal.

Around the 75th minutes, Kolo Muani got in-between the CB’s splitting them, then finding Barcola, who crossed it back into the box. The defense read it well and stamped out the attack.

Lee Kang-in, who started at striker but dropped deeper once Kolo Muani subbed in, had a wicked attempt on goal from long-range. The shot was powerful and had spin on it. David Raya saw it all the way but the force behind the shot meant he wasn’t able to catch it cleanly and was only able to parry it back into play. There was a scramble for the ball, with Arsenal getting to it first and clearing it away.

A few minutes later there was a penalty shout by PSG after Riccardo Calafiori looked like he handled the ball in the box. Once the broadcast showed a replay, he definitely did and it was more than a little surprising referee Slavko Vincici wasn’t asked to go take a look at it.

PSG generated another corner in the 84th minute that saw Marquinhos head over the bar, due to being man-marked by Declan Rice.

Arsenal did a bit of time-wasting towards the last 10 minutes, to add to their reputation as a team engaged in the ‘dark arts’ and escaped with a clean sheet and 3-points.

Mikel Merino made his Arsenal debut, coming on in the 64th minute for Thomas Partey. The Spaniard provided some steel in the midfield, as the Gunners were in defensive mode for most of the 2nd half. He made a couple of tackles, clearances and generally interrupted PSG’s attack. It was a good cameo and important for him to get some minutes under his belt. It feels like he will be an integral piece this season.

After the win, Arsenal now have 4 points from 2 matches and are in 8th place. Although, only half the teams have played their 2nd match, so plenty of movement still to come. Staying in the top-8 is the goal as those teams automatically go straight into the round-of-16 and effectively get a bye week. Leaving teams 9-24 having to play in the knockout stage with the winners then advancing to the round-of-16. Arsenal’s next Champions League match isn’t until October 22nd when they host Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates.

Next up for the Gunners is a home match (10/5) against Southampton, who are currently in the relegation zone. Through 6 matches they’ve only mustered 1 draw and 5 losses and have the 2nd worst goal differential at -9. They look like one of the worst teams in the division. Arsenal should roll the Saints, but this is football and anything can happen.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!