UCL 24/25: PSG Continue Poor Record In England With Thumping Defeat To Arsenal

Arsenal Beat PSG: Luis Enrique's side were outclassed by an inspired Arsenal side at the Emirates Stadium. Here are the details. Read below.

Kai Havertz was on target as two first-half goals were enough for Arsenal to record a memorable win over PSG

Source : @X/HQpcrt

Arsenal Beat PSG: Luis Enrique's men suffer first defeat of the season across all competitions with 2-0 loss to Arsenal in their Round 2 fixture of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25. With the loss, they now extend their poor record in England, as this result marks their 4th consecutive loss in the country in UEFA Champions League (2 vs Manchester City, 1 vs Newcastle United, 1 vs Arsenal).

READ HERE | UCL 24/25: FC Barcelona Return To Winning Ways With Drubbing Of BSC Young Boys

Making our mark in the Champions League ✨ pic.twitter.com/9IVG93mM1P

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 1, 2024

First-half goals fron Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were enough to seal the deal for Gunners, as a dull second-half produced a goalless affair and at the full-time whistle, it ended 2-0.

Kai Havertz has responded to his critics with a resounding performance that included the opening goal, and was awarded the Player of the Match.

Big night, big display.

The UEFA POTM: Kai Havertz.

🤝 @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/DmgcrY5jc0

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 1, 2024

Arsenal broke a series of records in their 2-0 win over PSG. Let's have a look at some of those records:

• Bukayo Saka's direct free-kick goal is Arsenal's first direct free-kick in the UEFA Champions League since legendary Thierry Henry's memorable goal against AS Roma back in November 2002. This feat now brings an end to the barren run of 144 matches and 22 years.
• Arsenal's defensive performances have been outstanding in 2024 and this was their 17th clean sheet of the calendar year across all competitions (a record which is only bettered by Real Madrid with 18 clean sheets as of now).
• The 2-0 result is now Arsenal's second win against PSG and maintain their unbeaten record against French giants i major European competitons (2 wins, 3 draws). 

Mikel Arteta Hails Win Over PSG As 'Confidence Booster'

The Arsenal manager was all smiles after his side's memorable win against PSG and had the following to say in the post-match press conference:

On a dull second-half after taking 2-0 lead Vs PSG:

"Especially the way we played the first half and how determined and brave we were, the quality we showed again against this kind of opponent and be so dominant, score the two goals. Then we wanted that different second half probably, continue to be that dominant and with the ball to be more composed than we were."

"We had three big chances to score the third one, and probably that would’ve killed the game, it didn’t. Credit to them as well, the changes they made, the adaptation that they made, they forced us to play again in a different area of the pitch and we had more problems after and to continue to play the way we played in the first half."

On the win acting as confidence booster:

"I think it raises the confidence and belief that we can compete with any team at that level in European competitions, with the style of games that are very different to the Premier League. I think we showed a lot of maturity in the way we played and we put our stamp on the way that we want to behave in Europe against top teams and I really like that."

On handing Mikel Merino his debut in an Arsenal shirt:

"Really good, because he joined us and first session he got injured. He had only one session with us, he was ready, he was really willing to be part of this today and obviously with the injuries and changes we had to make, we believe that he was the player that could help us in that phase. I think he’s done really well."