LONDON – Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the season as they cruised to a 2-0 Champions League victory against Paris Saint-Germain on a night to forget for PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Emirates. The win, Arsenal’s first in the new-look competition following the 0-0 draw against Atalanta on matchday one of the competition stage, lifts Mikel Arteta’s side to seventh position in the competition stage – one of the top eight places to earn a place in the competition to guarantee. the Round of 16 later in the season.

Arsenal were on their way to victory when Kai Havertz headed the opening goal from Leandro Trossard’s cross in the 20th minute, but the goal was largely down to a mistake by Donnarumma, who misjudged Trossard’s ball and collided with Havertz when the Germany international headed into an empty field. net.

The former Chelsea striker has now scored five goals in nine appearances in all competitions for the Gunners this season and was impressive again against PSG. His movement and effort in the final third, as well as being in the right place to score Arsenal’s first goal, highlights why Arteta resisted the temptation to sign a new centre-forward in the summer and remained loyal to a player who has the habit has evolved to score on the big occasion.

PSG, who defeated Girona in the opening match of the Champions League, had some spells of pressure in the second half but by then they were already 2-0 up and all but out of the game. After Havertz opened the scoring, Bukayo Saka’s 35th-minute free-kick easily beat Donnarumma at his near post after four players failed to make contact with the ball as it flew towards goal.

With the eight-match league stage still in its early stages, it is difficult to gauge how important this result will be for both sides in their bid to reach the final rounds, but for Arsenal they have at least their first win in the competition this year. season. PSG should do well after Tuesday’s setback, although they cannot afford many more poor performances if they want to secure a place in the top eight. –Ogden

Donnarumma makes more critical mistakes on the big stage

It wasn’t the first time – and unfortunately won’t be the last time – but Donnarumma had another bad European evening in the Emirates on Tuesday. The Italian international goalkeeper made a mistake on both Arsenal goals, first by completely missing Trossard’s cross and allowing Havertz to score. Then by letting Saka’s free kick go straight into his net.

Despite the occasional sharp save, such as the reflex stop to deny Martinelli from close range at the start of the second half, it is once again not good enough from the Euro 21 winner. He was a luxury between the posts in Ligue 1, but he faltered in key Champions League moments, such as last season’s semi-final against Dortmund, to name another example.

If Paris ever wants to win the Champions League, they need a top goalkeeper. They thought they had found him when they recruited the former Milan man in 2021, but at 25 years old he still hasn’t really improved or gotten much better in his four seasons in the French capital. –Laurens

Odegaard’s absence actually shows Arsenal’s strength, not their weakness

Remember when Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard returned from the international break in September with an ankle ligament injury sustained while playing for Norway, and the big question was how the Gunners would cope without him?

The former Real Madrid midfielder is a top player, there is no doubt about that, but it is a testament to the growing strength and depth of manager Mikel Arteta’s squad that they have not missed the 25-year-old from the lineup. This was the sixth game Arsenal have played without Odegaard since he was sidelined through injury, and they have not lost a single one.

There have been some tough games in that series too, with Spurs and Manchester City ensuring Arsenal pick up four points with a win and a draw, while PSG were brushed aside at the Emirates after Europa League winners Atalanta suffered a 0-0 draw. was held. match day one last month.

Without Odegaard at the center of his team, Arteta has turned to Thomas Partey to fill the void along with Declan Rice. Partey is a completely different player to Odegaard, but he hasn’t tried to be what he isn’t. Instead, the former Atletico Madrid man has just played to his strengths, formed a solid central midfield with Rice and unselfishly done what his team needed. Against PSG, Rice and Partey gave Arsenal the platform on which to build their 2-0 half-time lead.

Such is Odegaard’s importance to Arsenal that he will be straight back into the team when fit, but by showing they can cope without him, the Gunners have underlined their strength as a team. –Ogden

The decision to drop Dembélé is really counterproductive for PSG

The big talking point from a PSG perspective was Luis Enrique’s decision to drop Ousmane Dembele, his best player of the season, after a heated post-match encounter last weekend. After a 3-1 win over Rennes, the decision backfired, not that Luis Enrique cares; for him it’s all about discipline, and Dembélé didn’t respect the rules. One wonders whether he would have made the same decision if PSG had played a Champions League semi-final in the Emirates instead of the second of eight group games.

Regardless, the French international’s absence was deeply felt. He is their main source of creativity and inspiration. And it certainly wasn’t the same without him. Désiré Doué was chosen to replace him and although the France U21 international attack is a promising talent, he was completely overwhelmed by the event at the Emirates, with the visitors generating just 0.31 xG (expected goals) from 10 shots during the 90 minutes. –Laurens

Calafiori impresses again for Arsenal

Riccardo Calafiori has made just four starts in his Arsenal career, but it’s fair to say he has experienced more in such a short space of time than most players.

On his first time in the XI against Manchester City, he made a mistake that led to a goal and a brilliant strike of his own. Then came a rollercoaster of a game against Leicester City, in which he should have been sent off for two yellow cards, and that followed on Tuesday with perhaps his best performance of all.

Over the course of 90 minutes, the Italy international really showed why Arsenal were so keen to spend €50m to sign him this summer. The former Bologna defender was everywhere against PSG. First he was impeccable defensively as a left-back, against Doué, and then as a right-back (despite being left-footed) against Bradley Barcola. He also showed poise and intensity as he entered midfield when Arsenal had the ball, adding a new option for the ball carrier, beating the PSG press.

Calafiori is one of the next generation of versatile, technically gifted central defenders who can step in where needed. Considering he’s always in the right position to receive the ball, his composure in possession, his physicality and defensive qualities, there’s clearly not much he can’t do. At 22 years old, the future looks bright for him and for Arsenal. –Laurens