Arsenal vs PSG LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Gunners cruise to victory
Arsenal 2-0 PSG: Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka secured the points for the Gunners
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Arsenal cruised to a comfortable and deserved victory over Paris Saint-Germain after excelling in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.
Following a draw in their first match of this new Champions League league phase the Gunners hoped to overcome the French champions and signal that they are a team which can go all the way in this tournament.
Mikel Arteta’s side started slowly, absorbing a bit of early pressure and playing themselves into the game. They drew PSG out of position and broke down the left wing through Leandro Trossard. He flicked the ball into the box and found Kai Havertz who headed in the opener.
It was one of many chances Arsenal created in the first 20 minutes or so and when Bukayo Saka added a second from a wide free kick the hosts were well on top. In the second half, PSG responded well but couldn’t find a way through Arsenal’s stubborn defence.
The Gunners saw out the match, took the three points and are on track to move towards the top eight and an automatic spot in the knockout rounds.
Relive the Champions League updates below:
Arsenal 2-0 PSG
41 mins: Saka, Havertz and Trossard move the ball brilliantly with pace and accuracy over on the right side of the box. Saka to Havertz to Trossard, back into the box for Saka’s run but the flag goes up for offside.
PSG look all at sea.
Arsenal 2-0 PSG
38 mins: Arsenal are proving just why they were the big favourites before kick off. They’re enjoying themselves now and making PSG search for answers.
It’s a confident and composed performance that has the fans chanting and singing loudly.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 PSG (Bukayo Saka, 35 minutes)
Nuno Mendes seems to get the better of a duel with Saka and forces the winger over to the touchline. Saka feels a slight push in the back and goes over winning a free kcik for Arsenal.
Saka himself curls the set piece into the penalty area and whips it towards the near post. Arsenal’s players attack the ball and confuse the sight of the goalkeeper.
No-one touches the ball and it skips through before landing in the back of the net!
Arsenal 1-0 PSG
32 mins: Save!
Achraf Hakimi leads from the front with a storming run down the right wing. He’s too quick for Riccardo Calafiori to keep up with and sweeps around the Arsenal left-back before cutting into the box.
A shot or square pass (it’s hard to tell which) is drilled towards the near post but David Raya shuts it out with relative ease.
Arsenal 1-0 PSG
29 mins: Oh wow!
That came from nothing. Nuno Mendes dances around Bukayo Saka and moves into the inside left channel. He decides to let fly and smokes a left-footed effort at goal.
David Raya leaps across but can’t get to the ball and luckily for Arsenal it skips just wide of the far post.
Arsenal 1-0 PSG
26 mins: Bradley Barcola is played into space and forces Arsenal to back track. Jurrien Timber closes off the space in the box then times his tackle expertly to disposses the Paris forward.
The Arsenal fans enjoyed that one and make their delight known with cheers.
Arsenal 1-0 PSG
23 mins: Now PSG need to respond.
Luis Enrique did not look too pleased after that goal went in and he can probably tell that his team are second best over these opening 20 minutes or so.
Arsenal have had plenty of chances with the visitors offering little in response.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 PSG (Kai Havertz, 20 minutes)
Just like that!
Kai Havertz is the man to break the deadlock. Arsenal bring the ball down the left after Thomas Partey recovers the ball. Leandro Trossard carries it forward before lifting a cross into the box.
Gianluigi Donnarumma comes out for the ball but times it wrong. He can’t get there and Havertz is on hand to nod the ball into the near bottom corner.
Arsenal 0-0 PSG
18 mins: There’s a frustrating pattern developing in this match. PSG get possession, look to pass through Arsenal, get pushed back then win a goal kick and restart the whole process.
The Gunners need to get on the ball and force the issue.
Arsenal 0-0 PSG
15 mins: Saka swings a high cross into the PSG box but Donnarumma confidently comes off his line and plucks it out of the air. From the restart, the visitors look to tempt Arsenal out of their shape but are finding no joy trying to play out from defence.
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