Arsenal 2-0 PSG: Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey shine as Gunners shut down French champions | OneFootball

Arsenal got their first victory of the 2024-25 Champions League season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

This was meant to be the second tough game for Arsenal in the league phase, but the damage was done in the first half. Kai Havertz gave Arsenal the lead and Bukayo Saka made it 2-0 from a free-kick.

PSG grew in the game after half-time but Arsenal held on for all three points.

Here’s how the players rated at the Emirates Stadium:

Arsenal

David Raya – 7 – Didn’t have too much to do in the first half but was alert to produce a good stop on a shot from Hakimi. Was also on hand to stop a swerving effort from the Moroccan after the break. Tested the PSG defence with an early long ball.

Jurrien Timber – 7 – Had a really good one-on-one win against Barcola in the first half, having initially been done for pace. He stood his ground against the tricky winger, winning the ball back in his own box.

William Saliba – 7 – Didn’t have to do too much defensively but he was on had to shut PSG when needed.

Gabriel – 7 – Like his centre-back partner, Gabriel didn’t have too much to do but did produce a good tackle against Doue in the second half.

Riccardo Calafiori – 6 – Pushed into central midfield when Arsenal have the ball, which did leave the Gunners a bit weaker on the left. He was also done for pace by Hakimi a few times in the first half. Switched over to the right in the second half and looked stronger.

Bukayo Saka – 8 – Really enjoyed his battle with Mendes and had the first shot of the game, though it was curled over. After winning a foul from Mendes, Saka curled an inviting and dangerous ball into the box. It evaded everyone and went through Donnarumma, to make it 2-0. Since the start of last season, only Harry Kane (16) and Vinicius Jr (10) have been directly involved in more Champions League games than Saka’s nine.

Thomas Partey – 8 – Looked comfortable at the base of Arsenal’s midfield, protecting their defence. PSG’s midfield struggled because of the Ghanaian.

Declan Rice – 7 – With Calafiori tucking in, Rice found himself out on the left though he didn’t add the security Arsenal needed on that flank. But on the ball Rice was solid and when he didn’t have the left flank to watch on his own, the Englishman shone.

Gabriel Martinelli – 7 – Was close to getting onto Raya’s early long ball, but was just a step off. Did his bit and tested Donnarumma twice in the second half.

Kai Havertz – 8 – It was his brave header that put Arsenal ahead, running in between two defenders to challenge Donnarumma. It was only Havertz’s seventh goal in 31 Champions League games since he scored the winning goal in the 2021 final for Chelsea. This was another solid centre forward game for the German.

Leandro Trossard – 8 – He was the presser of Arsenal’s two centre forwards especially when Donnarumma was on the ball. Energetic, Trossard looked to force PSG’s backline into errors. But he wasn’t just a presser. Trossard provided a create pass to Havertz for the opening goal, delaying his cross until the perfect moment.

Substitutes:

Jakub Kiwior (for Timber 45) – 6 – Played on the left, very much a defensive full-back.

Mikel Merino (for Partey 64) – 6 – Didn’t have to get too involved on his Arsenal debut. But it was the perfect way for him to ease back into playing after injury.

Gabriel Jesus (for Trossard 74) – 6 – Wasn’t too involved after coming on.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (for Saka 90) – N/A – A late sub.

PSG

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7 – Was well beaten in the air by Havertz for the opening goal. Questions will be asked about his involvement in the second, but he was beaten by the amount of bodies crossing his path before the ball reached him. Good saves on Martinelli in the second half.

Achraf Hakimi – 7 – Was PSG’s brightest attacking player, beating Calafiori for pace a few times. Enjoyed his rare forays into the final third and tested Raya a couple of times including with a swerving effort in the second half. Also put in a good clearance from Havertz’s ball across goal in the first half.

Marquinhos – 5 – Was unaware of Martinelli running behind him from an early long ball, and was lucky that his compatriot was just a step behind. This wasn’t the captain’s performance PSG’s younger team needed.

Willian Pacho – 6 – Didn’t know Havertz was running behind him for the German’s goal. But like a lot of his teammates, he grew in the game and generally managed Arsenal’s attack well.

Nuno Mendes – 7 – Up against Saka, this was a good battle for the Portuguese defender. He was caught watching as Havertz ran in between him and Pacho, not bothering to follow. Did hit the post with a good effort in the first half, after a one-two with Barcola. He also took the sting off a header from Havertz that could have caused problems just before the hour mark.

Warren Zaire-Emery – 5 – The promising French teenager had a lot of touches and made 22 passes into the final third, but he didn’t really make his mark on the game.

Vitinha – 4 – Battled in midfield in the early stages but didn’t try to close down Trossard in the build up to the opening goal. As Arsenal grew in the game, the Portuguese midfielder really lost his way despite completing the most passes of his teammates while on the pitch.

Joao Neves – 5 – Had two shots and posted the highest xG of any PSG player (0.12) but he was really lost in the match. Arsenal’s midfield limited the talented teenager’s influence, though he did grow in the later stages after Fabian came on.

Desire Doue – 4 – Wasn’t a threat to the Arsenal defence, completing just one of his four attempted take-ons and two of his eight total duels.

Lee Kang-in – 5 – Didn’t provide the presence PSG needed in the box, dropping far too deep. He did look a bit better when switching to the left wing but it still wasn’t enough.

Bradley Barcola – 5 – Had a couple of bright moments in the first half, including setting up Mendes’ effort. Definitely grew into the game in the second half, getting at the Arsenal defence more as Calafiori switched over. But he was still missing the killer final touch.

Randal Kolo Muani (for Doue 64) – 6 – Provided the attacking presence PSG had been missing, though he didn’t test the defence.

Fabian Ruiz (for Vitinha 64) – 6 – Added legs to PSG’s midfield that they didn’t have in the first half.

*Using Bookmaker/Affiliate links on squawka.com may earn us a commission, at no additional cost to you. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. For more information, visit begambleaware.org.