The clever movement of Arsenal’s attackers was a crucial feature of their 2-0 UEFA Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

This was the assessment of UEFA technical observer Rafa Benítez, who, analyzing this Matchday 2 match in front of the FedEx Performance Zone, highlighted the “game intelligence” of the central strikers of Mikel Arteta, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard.

“I like players who understand the game and have good movements. The great thing about both was the understanding they showed, which was crucial for Arsenal’s build-up,” said Benitez. “Havertz held the ball well and Trossard showed great movement between the lines.”

This view is supported by the two clips in the video above – the first of which, from the eighth minute onwards, contains several elements worth highlighting. Starting with Trossard, he has dropped deep and with left-back Riccardo Calafiori taking up a position inside, this means more space for the Belgian to explore on the outside.

The positioning of Arsenal’s wingers, high and wide, also helps him, as Paris right-back Achraf Hakimi is pushed back by Gabriel Martinelli, leaving Trossard free to receive the ball outside the visitors’ defensive shape, between the winger and the full-back, and to progress. it from there. He passes the infield to Martinelli and runs to the ball on the inside.

At this point we should also point out the clever run of Havertz, who draws Willian Pacho, creating more space for Calafiori, who feeds Bukayo Saka to shoot.

Although Arsenal pressured Paris impressively, they were also dangerous when regaining the ball – thanks in no small part to this pair, according to Benitez. “They changed positions a lot and this understanding, intelligence and movement meant they were always a threat.”

The second clip, which shows Havertz’s goal after 20 minutes, underlines his point. It starts again with Trossard on the left, where he finds space and beats a man on his way into the final third. He then moves in and shows the composure to wait before sending the ball to Havertz, whose smart run gets him there, ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

That was one of Havertz’s 18 runs behind, the most of any Arsenal player, and he was also their most active player when it came to receiving the ball between the lines (six times).

Benítez added on Player of the Match: “When Arsenal built attacks he found smart moves to get to the right spot and have a chance to finish. He is not a striker who stays in the penalty area, but after that he will try to still get into the penalty area to finish, and that’s what you have to do as a striker.”

Additional praise for the German came from his head coach, Arteta, who said: “He is so powerful, but also so intelligent – the way he takes up spaces, the way he ties everything together and his work ethic. And now he is in the neighbourhood.” In the penalty area you have the feeling that he is going to score a goal.” That turned out to be the case.