Arsenal player ratings vs PSG, Mikel Merino debut verdict as one player a standout 9/10

Arsenal hosted PSG in a Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s side impressed in North London as Arsenal recorded a 2-0 win over PSG.

Arsenal sent a message with their display against the French outfit, making it clear to the rest of the sides in Europe’s elite club competition that they mean business.

Arteta has a personal connection with PSG from his playing days, and the Spanish coach will have been delighted to get one over on his former club.

First half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners a first half lead which they were able to defend with relative comfort until the final whistle.

How the Arsenal players rated against PSG

David Raya – 7

Another solid showing from the in-form goalkeeper who particularly caught the eye with his distribution.

Jurrien Timber – 7

Jurrien Timber demonstrated great physicality in the opening period but was then taken off at the break by Arteta in what Arsenal fans will hope was simply a precautionary measure.

William Saliba – 8

Another solid display at the back from William Saliba. The Frenchman made one particularly eye-catching challenge around 75 minutes in to prevent a PSG tap in.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 7

Like Saliba alongside him, the Brazilian centre-back coped brilliantly with the threat posed by the visitors.

Riccardo Calafiori – 8

Riccardo Calafiori has impressed Arsenal fans recently, and they will have been delighted again with the shift that the Italian defender put in against PSG.

He was solid defensively and got forward with great intent throughout. Calafiori even filled in well at right-back after Timber was taken off.

Thomas Partey – 7

Thomas Partey helped Arsenal to control the game, screened the back four well, and picked out a number of clever passes.

Declan Rice – 8

A powerful, commanding midfield display from Declan Rice who was everywhere Arsenal needed him to be.

Leandro Trossard – 8

Leandro Trossard and Havertz combined well from the start, and the Belgian delivered a perfect cross for the former Chelsea man to nod the Gunners ahead in the first half. Deputising for injured captain Martin Odegaard in a more central role, Trossard was impressive and influential throughout.

Bukayo Saka – 8

Perhaps fortunate to score as his free kick crept untouched through a crowd of bodies, but Saka deserved the goal and posed a threat all night whilst standing in for Odegaard as captain.

Gabriel Martinelli – 7

Gabriel Martinelli ended his goal drought against Leicester City last time out in the Premier League and looked more confident from the outset against PSG than he has in a long time.

Kai Havertz – 9

Havertz made his mark on this fixture with an excellent goal, and led the line impressively throughout. The German is in fantastic form and took responsibility against PSG, looking confident and clinical,

Substitutes

Jakub Kiwior – 6

Slotted into the back four comfortably at left-back after Timber was taken off.

Mikel Merino – 6

Mikel Merino finally made his debut for Arsenal against PSG and looked tidy enough. There is still much more to come from the midfielder, who looked slightly off the pace at times. This is understandable, though, as Merino has only recently returned to training.

Gabriel Jesus – 6

Could not impact the game hugely but added some energy.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6

On in the dying moments but a big moment for the youngster.