Positives & negatives as Arsenal exit the Champions League in Paris

Positive #1: David Raya stood tall

Raya was unmoved by Vitinha's efficient record when the Portugal international sauntered up to the penalty spot. His ultra-casual effort was the kind of fodder Raya saves without too much fuss.

The Spaniard obliged from 12 yards and was also resolute in the face of not-inconsiderable pressure from PSG throughout. Chances weren't in short supply for the hosts, but Raya was good enough to see off attempts from Bradley Barcola, Desiré Doué and substitute Ousmane Dembele.

Raya also benefitted from some good fortune at times, like when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's brilliant shot from distance clipped the post. Arsenal's main man between the sticks was at full stretch, but well beaten.

What Raya could have used was the benefit of a stout performance from the key player in front of him.

Negative #2: William Saliba

A reckless pass at the back gave Doué a chance the forward should have taken, but the moment itself offered a reminder about an uncomfortable truth concerning Saliba. He's supposed to be Arsenal's best defender, a go-to member of the game's so-called elite, but the Frenchman has a worrying habit for calamity.

Saliba never quite settled into the pace of one of the biggest games of his young career. Rather than projecting maturity and assurance, the 24-year-old had a deer in the headlights look about him when faced with PSG's pace and clever, angled running in the final third.

Arsenal needed big performances from their biggest players to turn this tie around, but Saliba faltered under pressure. His increasingly erratic form has brought home the often overlooked importance of regular central defensive partner Gabriel Magalhaes.

The latter's vocal leadership under fire has been missed by Saliba most of all. He's never going to be the Virgil van Dijk for this team without improving his natural athletic talents, while also developing more steely nerves and focused concentration.

There's a similar problem for the overall arc of this Arsenal team, but it concerns the development of greater courage and ideas going forward.

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Positive #2: Defeat can prompt Arteta to expand his thinking

Clarence Seedorf warned him, but Arteta didn't listen. His Arsenal players weren't braver on and off the ball - well, not for long enough, anyway.

They weren't imaginative with their passes, nor adventurous with their running. In other words, none of the things PSG produced for Hakimi's decisive goal.

It was created by smart work from Kvaratskhelia and a buccaneering break by Hakimi. The right-back put himself into the centre-forward position. How's that for Total Football, Mikel?

Hakimi's slick one-two with Dembele only underscored PSG's sense of style. It was in sharp contrast to Arsenal's pedestrian functionality.

Forget neat, incisive passes and varied runs, the Gunners relied on tossing a plethora of crosses into the mixer, playing for set-pieces and overdoing long throws from Thomas Partey. Yes, you read that right. Arsenal weaponised the long throw. That sound you can hear is Arsene Wenger weeping.

The difference between Arsenal's artful past and dour present was summed up by Arteta never calling for enterprising academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri off the bench. That same difference was also highlighted by PSG boss Luis Enrique swapping Nuno Mendes for Goncalo Ramos with two minutes remaining and the home side having to preserve a slender lead.

Subbing a left-back for a striker. It's a statement of intent and the willingness to be bold enough to still play on the front foot, even in the biggest games.

Arteta and Arsenal have a lot to change, both in terms of personnel and philosophy, before the club matches those same positive intentions.

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