“I’ve never played against such dangerously aggressive player in my whole professional career, We lose but to be honest he was the Man of the Match… It’s unfortunate Arteta doesn’t know how to use him”: PSG superstar Hakimi has named Arsenal new signing as the best player he has ever faced
“I’ve never played against such dangerously aggressive player in my whole professional career, We lose but to be honest he was the Man of the Match… It’s unfortunate Arteta doesn’t know how to use him”: PSG superstar Hakimi has named Arsenal new signing as the best player he has ever faced
Arsenal secured their first win of the 2024/25 Champions League on Tuesday night as they downed Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 at the Emirates.
The moist Emirates turf glistened under the lights with an expectant home faithful enjoying their first European night since Bayern Munich visited in April. A sodden pitch facilitated slick sequences of possession play from both teams, but Arsenal’s physical superiority over a diminutive PSG quicklt became clear.
An even contest was broken apart by a wicked Leandro Trossard which was leapt upon by the ghostful Kai Havertz, who beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to the ball and headed home Arsenal’s home. Donnarumma, whos reputation has gradually faded since his Euro 2020 heroics, was then at fault for the Gunners’ second as he allowed Bukayo Saka’s delivery from the right to beat him after passing a sea of bodies at the near post.
Arsenal had been limited to moments in the final third, but they’d done an excellent job of stifling the technically proficient visitors with a flexible plan without possession. The Gunners were dominant in duels, and their aggression tamed PSG’s talented frontline bereft of a superstar.
There was a second-half debut for Mikel Merino, but also a sense of the visitors building some momentum after the hour with Arsenal happy to protect their lead. The Gunners threatened on the break and were denied on several occasions by Donnarumma, but the bar also prevented Joao Neves from bringing PSG back into the game.
The French champions soon ran out of steam, though, and while Arsenal struggled to create an opening which would’ve confirmed their victory, they didn’t have too much trouble seeing the contest out during its final act.
Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 2-0 win over PSG.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya (GK) – 6.5/10 – Another clean sheet for Raya, although he wasn’t called upon to produce his Bergamo heroics in this one. He was limited to just a few saves, smartly denying Achraf Hakimi and Lee Kang-in either side of half-time.
Jurrien Timber (RB) – 7.5/10 – The Dutchman was heading towards my Man of the Match award, but he was withdrawn at half-time. Let’s hope there’s no injury. Timber was excellent in the first-half up against the in-form Bradley Barcola.
William Saliba (CB) – 8.5/10 – Saliba was put to the test later on in the game, but the French defender matched whatever PSG threw at him. There was a front-post clearance to deny Randal Kolo Muani which was particularly exceptional.
Gabriel (CB) – 8/10 – Gabriel produced a couple of standout defensive moments which the supporters loved. Blocked shots at will once Arsenal settled into a deeper block.
Riccardo Calafiori (LB) – 6/10 – The Italian just needs to harness his aggression a little bit. There’s some player in there, but the very best are going to have their way with him. PSG did get in behind him once or twice, but Calafiori did also produce a couple of excellent defensive actions
