‘Perfect’: Thierry Henry and Micah Richards impressed by Arsenal duo after win over PSG

Arsenal produced a top Champions League performance by seeing off Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Mikel Arteta’s side began their European...

Oct 2, 2024 - 06:00
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‘Perfect’: Thierry Henry and Micah Richards impressed by Arsenal duo after win over PSG

Arsenal produced a top Champions League performance by seeing off Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side began their European campaign with a goalless draw at Atalanta, but now they picked up a deserved first win of this new league phase.

On paper, Arsenal’s toughest game in this revamped Champions League is probably their away ties at Inter – who are the champions of Italy – or their trip to Lisbon to take on Sporting – the champions of Portugal.

The other one was their home meeting against the Ligue 1 champions, but based on what was produced on the night, you would have expected a far tougher test from Luis Enrique’s side.

One of the reasons for PSG’s struggles is how Arsenal controlled the game, didn’t let them settle, and they also scored early.

Kai Havertz was the man who opened the scoring after 20 minutes, before Bukayo Saka ensured Arsenal went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

After that, you aren’t breaking an Arsenal defence that is the best in England’s top-flight, as PSG only mustered two shots on target.

Thierry Henry and Micah Richards gave two players their flowers during the game – the man who opened the scoring and the provider.

Leandro Trossard’s cross was beautifully met by Havertz, with Henry hailing the Belgian’s ‘great work’ and the timing of his teammate’s run.

Former Manchester City defender Richards echoed those words by calling the ball from Trossard as ‘perfect’, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (01/10/24 at 10:00 pm).

Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz praised after Arsenal beat PSG

“Great work from Leandro Trossard,” said Henry. “You are going to see the usual run of Kai Havertz. Bukayo Saka is on the second post. Kai Havertz reads it well. What a delivery from Trossard and Havertz gets in the way before Donnarumma.”

Richards added: “Just look at the run in there, the way he is slowing up, then he goes quicker and slows up again for the timing. The ball was perfect.”

Henry then stated: “Trossard saw that, he couldn’t go too early or he would have been offside, so he timed his run and he does that ever so well. He scored a very similar goal against Wolves at the beginning of the season.”

Kai Havertz of Arsenal scores his team's first goal past Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Leagu...
Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Tougher tests to come for Arsenal in the Champions League

This win is a big plus for Arsenal, mainly because of how they won and how they looked fairly comfortable despite playing a big opponent.

But the tougher tests will come for Arsenal, whose bigger issues are on the road rather than in front of their supporters.

READ MORE: Arsenal interested in four different defenders amid Jakub Kiwior decision

Havertz is continuing to rise in Arsenal colours, the defence is as strong as ever, Saka is one of the best in Europe and they are doing all of this without the injured Martin Odegaard.

So, four points after two matches, with two clean sheets, should be seen as a massive thumbs up so early on win the campaign.

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