It felt as though Arsenal had experienced this scenario before, finding themselves 2-0 up for the second time in three days against a blue team after a fairly uneventful first half.
While they have previously built three-goal leads, they often faced challenges in maintaining them. However, this time, their opponents struggled to mount a comeback.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) proved to be a tougher challenge than Leicester, presenting Arsenal with more difficulties in the second half.
Yet, the Gunners seemed determined to avoid any drama this time.
Reflecting on last season, Arsenal’s fortunes in Europe have shifted significantly.
They once appeared lost on the big stage, but now they exude confidence and eagerness to showcase their abilities.
Manager Mikel Arteta noted this transformation, stating, “I felt something different in how we prepared for the game and how focused we were. The players wanted to make a point tonight. We can be ourselves and dominate at home against top teams. Our task is to keep this momentum going.”
After the match, Bukayo Saka expressed optimism that this could be Arsenal’s year to win the title, a belief that seems justified based on their performance against formidable opponents.
In another notable development, Mikel Merino made his debut for Arsenal.
Though it took time for the Spanish midfielder to transition from Real Sociedad, he recently made his first appearance.
Upon entering the field, his impressive physical presence was immediately apparent.
Merino quickly took charge, directing teammate Riccardo Calafiori and demonstrating his leadership.
Internally, Merino is seen as a “win now” signing, radiating confidence that should aid his swift adaptation.
Arteta praised his readiness despite having trained with the team just once before the match, stating, “He was eager to be part of the team today. We believed he could help us, and he did a fantastic job.” During the game, Arsenal employed a 4-4-2 formation without the ball, allowing Merino and Declan Rice to form a classic midfield partnership.
When in possession, they pushed further upfield.
Although Merino displayed moments of skill, his passing still needed refinement, something Arsenal hopes to improve.
Later in the match, he showcased his tenacity with a well-timed sliding tackle, earning praise from the home fans.
This performance marked a strong start for the new addition.
For Kai Havertz, things are looking promising following his goal against PSG, which came as part of a well-executed strategy, though the nature of his scoring was somewhat fortunate.
His combination with Leandro Trossard, whose run and cross were perfectly timed, resulted in a powerful header from Havertz, extending his impressive goal streak at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta commended Havertz, emphasizing his strength and intelligence on the pitch, noting, “He knows how to fill spaces and link play. When he gets close to the box, you can expect him to score.”
Overall, it was a strong performance from Havertz, and his goal highlighted his capabilities.
He seems to be embracing the physicality of the striker role, which he had previously approached with hesitation.
He remarked, “It’s fantastic to play here. I’m grateful to contribute to the team. I love this stadium and the fans. Moving here was a significant step for me. I didn’t always enjoy duels as a player, but now I do.”
A positive takeaway regarding Havertz is that discussions about Arsenal needing a new striker appear to have diminished, suggesting he may be the solution they’ve been searching for.