Arsenal show impressive strength and depth in victory over PSG

LONDON – Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain in a night to remember at the Emirates for PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The win, Arsenal's first in the new-look competition after the 0-0 draw with Atalanta on matchday one of the league phase, moves Mikel Arteta's team to seventh place in the league phase – one of the top eight positions that guarantee a place in the league Round of 16 later in the season.

Arsenal were on their way to victory when Kai Havertz headed in the opener from Leandro Trossard's cross in the 20th minute, but the goal was largely due to an error from Donnarumma, who misjudged Trossard's delivery and collided with Havertz as the German international headed into the void.

The former Chelsea striker has now scored five goals in nine appearances in all competitions for the Gunners this season and was also impressive against PSG. His agility and industry in the final third, as well as the fact that he was in the right place to score Arsenal's first goal, illustrates why Arteta resisted the temptation to sign a new center forward in the summer and stuck with a player who has developed a habit of scoring points on the big occasion.

PSG, who beat Girona in their Champions League opener, endured periods of pressure in the second half but by that point they were 2-0 and all but out of the game. After Havertz opened the scoring, Bukayo Saka's 35th-minute free kick easily beat Donnarumma at his near post after four players failed to connect with the ball as it flew towards goal.

With the league's eight-game phase still in its early stages, it is difficult to estimate how important this result is to either side in their bid to reach the final rounds, but for Arsenal at least it gives them their first win celebrated in competition season. After Tuesday's setback, PSG should be doing well, although they can't afford many more poor performances if they want to secure a place in the top eight. –Ogden

Donnarumma makes more critical mistakes on the big stage

It wasn't the first time – and sadly won't be the last – but Donnarumma had another poor European night at the Emirates on Tuesday. The Italy goalkeeper was to blame for both of Arsenal's goals, firstly by completely missing Trossard's cross and allowing Havertz to score. He then let Saka's free kick go straight into the net.

Despite occasional sharp saves, such as the reflex stop that allowed Martinelli to prevent a close shot at the start of the second half, the EM 21 winner's performance is once again not good enough. He was a luxury between the sticks in Ligue 1, but he faltered in crucial moments in the Champions League, such as last season's semi-final against Dortmund, to name just another example.

If Paris wants to win the Champions League one day, they need a top goalkeeper. They thought they had found him when they recruited the former Milanese in 2021, but at 25 years old he still hasn't really improved or gotten much better in his four seasons in the French capital. –Laurens

Odegaard's absence actually shows Arsenal's strength, not its weakness

Remember when Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard returned from the international break in September with ankle ligament damage sustained while playing for Norway and the big question was how the Gunners would cope without him?

The former Real Madrid midfielder is undoubtedly a top player, but it is a testament to the growing strength and depth of manager Mikel Arteta's squad that the 25-year-old was not missed in the lineup. This was the sixth game Arsenal have played without Odegaard since his injury absence and they haven't lost any of them.

There were also some difficult encounters in this series: away at Spurs and Manchester City, Arsenal took four points with a win and a draw, while PSG were eliminated at the Emirates after a 0-0 draw against Europa League winners Atalanta Matchday one last month.

Without Odegaard at the center of his team, Arteta has turned to Thomas Partey to fill the void alongside Declan Rice. Partey is a completely different player to Odegaard, but he hasn't tried to be what he's not. Instead, the former Atletico Madrid player simply played to his strengths, forming a solid midfield axis with Rice and selflessly doing what his team needed. Against PSG, Rice and Partey gave Arsenal the foundation on which they extended their 2-0 half-time lead.

Such is Odegaard's importance to Arsenal that he will return to the team straight away when he is fit, but by showing they can cope without him, the Gunners have shown their strength as a squad. –Ogden

The decision to drop Dembélé really backfires for PSG

The big talking point before the game from PSG's perspective was Luis Enrique's decision to drop Ousmane Dembélé, his best player this season, after a heated follow-up at the weekend. After a 3-1 win against Rennes, the decision backfired badly, not that Luis Enrique cared – for him it's all about discipline and Dembélé didn't play by the rules. One wonders whether he would have made the same decision if PSG had been playing a Champions League semi-final at the Emirates rather than the second of eight group games.

In any case, the absence of the French international was painfully felt. He is their main source of creativity and inspiration. And it definitely wasn't the same without him. Désiré Doué was chosen as a replacement and despite being a promising talent, the France U21 attacker was completely overwhelmed by the opportunity at the Emirates as the visitors managed just 0.31 xG (expected goals) from 10 shots in the 90 minutes. –Laurens

Calafiori impresses again for Arsenal

Riccardo Calafiori has only started four times in his Arsenal career, but it's fair to say he's been through more than most players in such a short space of time.

When he first started against Manchester City, he made a mistake that led to a goal and a brilliant strike. Then came a rollercoaster of a game against Leicester City in which he had to be sent off for two yellow cards, and on Tuesday he produced perhaps his best performance ever.

In the 90 minutes, the Italy international really showed why Arsenal were keen to spend €50m to sign him this summer. The former Bologna defender was everywhere against PSG. First he was impeccably defensive as a left-back against Doué and then as a right-back (despite being left-footed) against Bradley Barcola. He also showed composure and intensity as he moved into midfield when Arsenal had the ball, providing another ball carrier option and helping to beat the PSG press.

Calafiori is part of the next generation of versatile, technically gifted central defenders who can play wherever they are needed. Between his always being in the right position to receive the ball, his composure in possession, his physicality and his defensive qualities, there's obviously not much he can't do. At 22, the future looks bright for him and Arsenal. –Laurens