BREAKING NEWS: Gabriel Jesus has reportedly issued an ultimatum to the Arsenal board, stating, “Either they sell him or I will leave
On Tuesday night, Arsenal claimed their first victory in the 2024/25 Champions League with a 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Emirates Stadium.
The atmosphere was electric, as Arsenal fans were eager to witness their team in European action for the first time since their previous match against Bayern Munich earlier in the year.
The pitch, slick from rain, provided the perfect setting for an intense and fast-paced game, with both sides enjoying periods of solid possession.
However, Arsenal’s physicality quickly proved to be a key advantage against the smaller PSG lineup.
The match was evenly contested until Arsenal found the breakthrough.
Leandro Trossard delivered a dangerous cross into the box, and Kai Havertz, with a perfectly timed run, beat PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to the ball, heading it home to give Arsenal the lead.
Donnarumma, once a star of Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, made a critical error that led to Arsenal’s second goal.
the right, and as it bypassed multiple players near the front post, it found its way into the back of the net after Donnarumma failed to deal with the danger.
Despite not creating many chances in the final third, Arsenal managed the game expertly.
Their defense and midfield were tireless in nullifying PSG’s technical prowess.
Arsenal’s aggressive and flexible defensive structure allowed them to win individual battles across the pitch, limiting the impact of PSG’s talented, albeit underpowered, attacking players.
In the second half, Mikel Merino made his debut for Arsenal, while PSG began to build momentum around the 60-minute mark.
However, Arsenal remained solid, focusing on protecting their lead and looking dangerous on the counter-attack.
Donnarumma was called into action several times as Arsenal sought to extend their lead, and the crossbar also denied the Gunners another goal.
PSG’s best chance to get back into the game came when Joao Neves hit the bar, but their comeback hopes gradually faded as the game wore on.
As the match neared its conclusion, Arsenal couldn’t find a third goal to fully secure the victory, but they comfortably saw out the game without any major threats from PSG.
The win marked a significant moment for Arsenal, securing a crucial three points in their Champions League campaign.
Arsenal Player Ratings:
–David Raya (GK) – 6.5/10: Raya earned a clean sheet but wasn’t heavily tested. He made some important saves, particularly against Achraf Hakimi and Lee Kang-in.
–Jurrien Timber (RB) – 7.5/10: Timber had an excellent first half, playing a key role in stifling PSG’s Bradley Barcola. He was substituted at halftime, likely as a precaution against injury.
William Saliba (CB) – 8.5/10: Saliba was outstanding, especially in the second half.
He made several key defensive interventions, including a crucial clearance to deny Randal Kolo Muani from scoring.
Gabriel (CB) – 8/10: Gabriel showed impressive defensive resolve, making critical blocks and timely tackles as Arsenal dropped deeper in the second half.
Riccardo Calafiori (LB) – 6/10: Calafiori had a mixed performance, showing moments of promise but was occasionally caught out of position.
He displayed aggression, but will need to refine his defensive discipline.
Overall, Arsenal’s strong defensive performance and timely goals allowed them to secure an important victory on home turf, starting their Champions League campaign on the right foot.
Arsenal claimed a crucial 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in their 2024/25 Champions League group stage match at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, buoyed by a lively atmosphere, showed physical dominance, which proved decisive against PSG’s smaller lineup.
Kai Havertz opened the scoring for Arsenal with a well-timed header, connecting with Leandro Trossard’s pinpoint cross. PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s mistake later allowed Arsenal to double their lead, as he failed to deal with a cross, leading to the ball finding the net. Despite PSG building momentum in the second half and hitting the bar through Joao Neves, Arsenal’s disciplined defense held firm.
David Raya earned a clean sheet, supported by standout performances from William Saliba and Gabriel in defense. Mikel Merino also made his Arsenal debut, while Timber had an impressive first half before being subbed off at halftime. Arsenal expertly managed the game, securing an important three points in their Champions League campaign.