Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka score as Arsenal defeats Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 to win the Champions League match.

At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal put up a polished performance to defeat a youthful Paris Saint-Germain team 2-0 and win their first Champions League match of the year.

The Gunners took the lead in the first half thanks to a thunderous header from Kai Havertz, who ducked between two players and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to Leandro Trossard's tease.

For the second goal, Arsenal showed off their mastery of set pieces. Usually the creator, Bukayo Saka found himself on the receiving end of a near-post pass from wide on the right that bounced through a mass of players, outpacing Donnarumma and going straight in.

Arsenal had opportunities to extend their lead: just after the second goal, Gabriel Martinelli twice shot too near to the PSG custodian, and Donnarumma saved Trossard from close range.

With Kylian Mbappe gone and an average age of 23, Luis Enrique's revamped team also generated opportunities, as Nuno Mendes missed a long-range shot in the first half and Joao Neves subsequently hit the crossbar from a corner.

Although Jurrien Timber's halftime withdrawal raised concerns, Arsenal withstood their pressure in the second half, when Mikel Arteta gave fit-again summer signing Mikel Merino his debut from the bench. Arteta later stated that the defender "felt something muscular" and added, "I didn't want to take any risks."

 
Arsenal's victory moves them up into the top eight slots in the league phase table, while PSG drops to 18th place, following a goalless draw away to Atalanta in their opening Champions League match.

Arteta: In his press conference, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated, "We proved we can compete with anyone."

"In games that are very different from the Premier League, I think it increases the confidence and belief that we can compete with any team at this level."

"We competed against the best teams in Europe and demonstrated maturity. That was absolutely great.

"I saw that [the guys] were acting differently tonight. Their goal was to establish a point. Being authentic is possible, and this is a step further. That is something we must continue to do.

"I believe they required this. It's a special night, in my opinion, playing a major European club. It uplifts everyone's spirits and beliefs. Proof that we can defeat them."

Analysis: Havertz excels in the victory statement

This was considered to be one of the hardest league phase assignments for Arsenal. And yet the most surprising thing was how ordinary it felt, save for a strange stretch in the second half. In that sense, it was a statement triumph, a brushing aside of one of Europe's elite sides.

With a goal from open play and another from a dead ball in the first half, Arsenal showed off their merciless offensive might. As PSG made an effort to regroup after the interval, Arsenal had to rely on their defensive skills. In essence, they played two games.

Arsenal, who were quarterfinalists the previous season, appears to be a team that can advance this time around, as Arteta praised both their skill and maturity after the match.

Havertz continued to cement his status as Arsenal's first-choice striker with a very successful evening. After his goals against Bolton and Leicester, this was his third goal in as many outings and his fifth of the season overall.

He showed daring to reach the ball before the stranded Donnarumma, timing his run to perfectly meet Trossard's accurate diagonal cross. It was a classic centre-forward play.

However, this display also demonstrated how Germany's worldwide offers go well beyond just being a box. He occasionally appeared to be galloping around Saka on the overlap. Other times, he was assiduously guarding his own corner. His intensity and application, all over the pitch, encapsulates up this Arsenal squad.

"He has been amazing," Arteta remarked afterward. "His football acumen, spatial awareness, timing, and ability to unite people." Because of his amazing work ethic, he is now a genuine threat in the box. He is currently one of our key players."

Luis Enrique: Lose on me.

In his press conference, PSG president Luis Enrique said:

"Accounting for specific people would be incorrect. I am the one who has lost. I take responsibility for things.

"Gigi Donnarumma was well below the level required to win the match, performing at the same level as his teammates.

"They won every duel; we were unable to withstand their pressure. A well-earned loss for us and a well-deserved win for Arsenal.

"Losing a duel prevents you from competing. Our strikers' movements were predicted by their defenders, but their strikers' movements were unexpected by us. From the very beginning, we were significantly off target."