Arsenal – PSG: match notes

After a close victory against Girona, at the Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain played their first big test of the season on Arsenal’s London pitch in order to confirm a second success in the league phase. However, after Dembélé was sidelined, Luis Enrique opted for a 4-3-3 with Doué, Barcola and Lee in attack, behind a trio of Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves. For its part, Arsenal, who must win after their draw against Atalanta (0-0), opted for a very classic 4-2-3-1.

And after an observational start to the match between two balanced teams, Arsenal shifted into second gear after a first strike from Saka (9th), and a big deflection from Hakimi in front of his goal (18th). But after a Parisian defensive wandering, Havertz was launched by Trossard and was able to take advantage of Donnarumma’s error to place his head and open the scoring (1-0, 20th). In offensive difficulty, PSG relied on its full-backs with a long shot from Mendes on the post (28th), then a shot from Hakimi deflected by Raya (31st).

A hand fault not whistled for PSG

But a free kick obtained stupidly and very poorly managed by the Parisian defense allowed Saka to make the break, also taking advantage of a too immobile placement from Donnarumma (2-0, 35th). And upon returning from the locker room, the Italian goalkeeper was, this time, very vigilant on his line, after a good recovery from Martinelli (52nd). But subsequently, Paris finally gained momentum and put pressure on the Gunners defense, like this deviation from Neves, who failed on Raya’s crossbar (66th), then decisive with a beautiful strike from Lee (69th).

The Parisians showed a much better appearance than in the first period, but had to be more effective offensively to disrupt the solid defense of the Gunners and above all avoid conceding chances too easily (74th). And after a hand from Calafiori in the Parisian area, judged unintentional by Mr. Vincic (79th), PSG therefore bowed for the first time of the season before going to challenge PSV and remained in the soft underbelly of the phase league. For its part, Arsenal pocketed three important points before hosting Shakhtar Donetsk and is provisionally in 7th place.

Man of the match: Havertz (7.5): the German was in all of Arsenal’s good attacking moves. Positioned behind the striker, Havertz did not hesitate to swap with Leandro Trossard. He is also perfectly served by the latter, before taking advantage of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s incredible exit to open the score with a header (20th). Attracted by the goal despite his backward position, he almost scored a double on a header, but the latter was slowed down by Pacho before finishing his race in the arms of Donnarumma.

Relive the match film

Arsenal

– Raya (5): saved by his post on a long shot from Nuno Mendes (27th), then by his bar on a deflection from Neves (65th), the Spanish goalkeeper hardly had to work in the first period. Vigilant, he deflected a floating shot from Kang-in Lee shortly after the hour mark. At the foot, he often attempted the long play, without much success (10/21 successful long passes).

-Timber (5): Bradley Barcola did not exist and it is largely thanks to the former Ajax man. Impressive physically, the Dutchman seemed above the fray whether in his defensive interventions or in his accelerations to initiate counter-attacks. Unfortunately let go by his body, he is replaced at half-time by Jakub Kiwior (4.5). Shifted to the left side, the Pole held his position well despite a very active Hakimi on his wing.

– Saliba (7): he didn’t have to do much, but he did everything well. Still as serene as ever, the former Marseillais had no trouble containing a lonely Désiré Doué overwhelmed by the event. He intervenes perfectly in front of Randal Kolo Muani (74th), who returned a few minutes earlier, and breathes his team, which has been under pressure since returning from the locker room. Imperial from start to finish of the match, the Frenchman reigned supreme over the Gunners defender.

– Gabriel (6): less brilliant than his French friend, the 1.90 m left-hander will never have had difficulty facing a PSG without a real center forward until the entry of Kolo-Muani. He easily stops Désiré Doué launched alone in depth by Donnarumma. Alongside a Saliba of great evenings, the London hinge will have held the house until the end.

– Calafiori (6): interesting in his projections, the professional central defender had no difficulty in showing himself offensively in the first period. A little more in difficulty defensively, his glaring lack of speed was almost exposed on an express counter from Achraf Hakimi (30th). Repositioned on the right of a three-way defense after returning from the locker room, the activity of the former Bologna player will not have decreased, even finding himself pressing in the Parisian camp in several situations. He could have been penalized with a hand which would have resulted in a penalty (78th), but Mr Vincic did not think so.

– Rice (7): Declan Rice did Declan Rice. Valuable in recovery (4/6 duels won, 3 interceptions) and intelligent in his use of the ball, the English international made a big impression against an overwhelmed Parisian midfielder. Despite his team’s decline in the second half, the former Hammers player never let up and dictated Arsenal’s play until the end. Capable of gaining meters by passing or with the ball at his feet, Rice will have done everything this evening.

– Partey (5.5): without touching the ball, he was at the origin of the Gunners’ second goal by hindering Gianluigi Donnarumma (35th). His slaughter in midfield will have been essential in the balance of Mikel Arteta’s system. At the height of the event, the Ghanaian will not have delivered a false note until his release. Replaced by Mikel Merino (63rd)who was making his first in the Gunners jersey.

– Saka (6.5): evening captain in the absence of Martin Odegaard, the English international assumed his status against the Parisians. Lucky scorer on a direct free kick after another blunder by the Parisian defense and its goalkeeper, who all watch the ball slip into the Italian’s goals. He was also omnipresent in his team’s play (54 balls touched), always as active on his side before turning into an effective right piston after returning from the locker room to parry the rises of Nuno Mendes, when Arsenal put themselves on the back. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly (90th+1).

– Havertz (7.5): see above.

– Martinelli (5): The least prominent member of the four Londoners in front, the Brazilian was transparent in the first half. Which did not prevent his team from leading (2-0) at the break. Perfectly served by Havertz, he is one perfect intervention from Donnarumma close to triple the score on a left-footed recovery (51st). His first opportunity will have launched his second period where he will have been much better. More impactful, he set fire to the Parisian right side neglected by the successive climbs of Hakimi.

– Trossard (6.5): positioned as number nine, he never stopped breaking between the lines where he was excellent thanks to his technical quality. Author of a very good start to the match, he rewarded himself by offering a sublime assist for Kai Havertz on a cross behind the Parisian defense (20th). Less brilliant in the second half, the Belgian lost several balls, sometimes stupidly. Replaced by Gabriel Jesus (74th)too lonely in the face of the decline of his teammates, he will have had no goal ball to get his hands on.

PSG

– Donnarumma (3): Back in the starting lineup since September 14, the Italian played his first Champions League match of the season. And for his return, he gave himself a tough outing against Martinelli from the start (3rd). A way to mark your ground against the Gunners? Not really. Once again, the Italian demonstrated that he was at bay on aerial balls. Starting with a failed exit on Havertz’s opener (20th). A quarter of an hour later, he was not helped by his defense, but he was involved in Saka’s break free kick (35th). He had the merit of making two saves on strikes from Martinelli to avoid the 3-0 (52nd, 75th). Not enough to save his catastrophic record during the first 45 minutes which weighed down his team.

– Hakimi (4): deprived of his usual accomplice on the right flank, the Moroccan was one of the rare Parisians to attempt a few climbs. But with an outclassed Doué, he mainly spent his time defending. When he returned from the locker room, he had more space, but was unable to create any big dangers.

– Marquinhos (4): surprised by Martinelli’s deep run from the start of the match (3rd), the Parisian captain did not display great calm on the opposing sharp counterattacks.

– Pacho (4): At the start of the match, the nice surprise of the Parisian summer transfer window gave us some good performances against Trossard. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t resist the London waves. On the Gunners’ first goal, he let Havertz slip away (20th). And on the free kick of 2-0, his placement leaves something to be desired. In the second period, he doesn’t have a lot of interventions to make.

– Mendes (4.5): contrasting evening for the Portuguese full-back. Of course, he tried to place a few counterattacks, like this long shot (28th), but he too often missed the last gesture. Arsenal constantly went to their side, aware of their difficulties in defending. He also made the stupid mistake on Saka which made the free kick 2-0 (35th).

– Zaire-Emery (4.5): in the first half, he suffered from Arsenal’s domination. Drowned in the midfield, he did not hesitate to make big defensive returns. In the second half, he took advantage of the Gunners’ slack to find his attackers more, but it was insufficient.

– Neves (4.5): his tenure alongside Vitinha and WZE gave a glimpse of a lot of hope. But like his partners in the midfield, he ran in all directions, but was eaten up by the opposing compact block. He could have reduced the score after hitting the bar on a corner (66th).

– Vitinha (4): he too made his return to the Parisian eleven. Positioned in the role of sentry, he did not have the usual impact. He took very little initiative and never managed to break the lines. Helpless against the London block, he was involved in Arsenal’s opener by not being in contact with Brossard on Havertz’s goal. Replaced by Ruiz (63rd).

– Gifted (3): lined up in place of Dembélé following the latter’s sidelining, the former Rennais was sent to the death penalty by his coach. For his first start in C1 with his new club, he was clearly overwhelmed by events. Non-existent on his side, he was physically moved. Unable to try anything, he had to wait until the 45th minute to make his first cross. An evening to forget. Replaced by Kolo Muani (63rd).

– Barcola (3.5): Dembélé absent, the former Lyonnais was logically expected to be the offensive leader of this Parisian team. Often forced to recover the ball with his back to the game at the start of the match, the provisional top scorer in L1 also got through his match. He swapped with Lee sometimes, but it didn’t work. Controlled by Timber, he did not accelerate at all. And the rare times he was in a position to create danger, he got tangled up technically or was eaten by Saliba.

– Lee (4.5): tactical bet at kick-off, the South Korean was lined up at center forward in place of Kolo Muani who is still not a priority for his coach. At the start of the match, he often made runs into space, barely touching any balls. He tried to swap with Barcola and increased his efforts. Unfortunately for him, he is not a center forward by trade and therefore did not weigh at all against the opposing defensive block. But his activity, like his long shot which almost surprised Raya (67th), was remarkable, particularly after his repositioning on the right side.