Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka played major roles in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, securing the Gunners' first Champions League win of the season.
Havertz opened the scoring with a powerful header, while Saka added a second before halftime, showcasing Arsenal’s dominance at the Emirates Stadium. Following a 1-1 draw in their group stage opener against Atalanta, Mikel Arteta’s men now sit on four points as they push towards the knockout rounds of the revamped competition. Last season, Arsenal were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and narrowly missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City. Now, unbeaten in nine consecutive matches across all competitions, the Gunners are chasing silverware on multiple fronts.
Adding to the night’s positivity, Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino made his Arsenal debut, appearing in the final 30 minutes after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during his first training session since his summer transfer from Real Sociedad. His return comes at a crucial time with Martin Odegaard currently out of action.
PSG, with Gianluigi Donnarumma back in goal following a three-match absence due to a thigh injury, tested the waters early. The Italian goalkeeper quickly raced off his line to deny Gabriel Martinelli in the opening minutes.
However, it was Arsenal’s captain for the evening, Bukayo Saka, who shifted the momentum when he cut inside from the right wing and fired just over the bar from the edge of the area. The breakthrough came in the 20th minute, as Leandro Trossard delivered a precise cross into the box. Havertz timed his run perfectly, slipping past PSG’s static defense to head the ball past the onrushing Donnarumma.
Havertz, who netted Chelsea’s Champions League-winning goal in 2021, endured a rocky start at Arsenal following his £65 million ($86 million) transfer. However, his contribution against PSG suggests he is finding his feet in Arteta’s system.
