3 standout players from Arsenal's 2-0 victory over PSG

We've got to the point now where victories over a supposed supergiant shouldn't really be regarded as 'statements'. Arsenal cruised to their 2-0 win over PSG on Tuesday night.

The Gunners didn't completely dominate this encounter, and they were limited to mere moments before taking a 2-0 first-half lead. They always kept a technically proficient PSG team at arm's length, although Luis Enrique's side did threaten to surge back into the contest during a brief spell after the hour.

Mikel Arteta's side player with impressive maturity in this one, with the collective cohesion once again proving key. They trapped and suffocated PSG in the opening period, and backed themselves to resist their talent as the contest wore on. There was a feeling of ease and serenity as the clock ticked down, with no sense that a collapse was imminent.

Arsenal got their Champions League ball rolling in north London, and here were the three standouts from their victory.

1. William Saliba

PSG had scored in their previous 51 Champions League group stage matches before they met Saliba and company on Tuesday night. We know this Arsenal defence is bloody good, and they did an excellent job of preserving the Gunners' comfortable advantage.

Jurrien Timber was excellent in the first half as he shut down Bradley Barcola, while Gabriel had his moments which the crowd relished. In between Gabriel's shielding out sequences and Timber's duelling dominance was William Saliba doing William Saliba things.

There were early rotations beyond PSG's first pressing line early on, with Saliba also doing an excellent job of shutting down the half-space when PSG sought to exploit these zones throughout. His transition defending was patient but brilliant, and he was perfect when asked to defend his box. Saliba made a couple of crucial interventions which prevented the visitors from potentially having a shot at goal.

He was my Man of the Match.

2. Declan Rice

Rice has not enjoyed the best start to the season, with his subdued form from Euro 2024 permeating into 2024/25. His best work, before Tuesday night, arrived during the international break.

However, I thought the midfielder produced an archetypal Rice performance in this one. Yes, there was that poor moment in transition where he rushed his pass with Bukayo Saka breaking free, but the Englishman otherwise had an excellent game.

He worked brilliantly with Thomas Partey, mopping up second balls and pressing high to prevent PSG's midfielders from having time and space in the build-up. His duel dominance must've frustrated the visitors immensely.

Mikel Merino's arrival saw Rice move into the six, and his mobility will allow Arsenal to track runners through the half-spaces much more effectively moving forward. That's where his future lies in this team.

3. Kai Havertz

Leandro Trossard was brilliant in a free role, while the inevitable Bukayo Saka added to his Champions League goal tally, but Havertz is our final standout.

Like Trossard, the German is relishing the freedom offered to him by Mikel arteta, although his role does seem more defined than the Belgian's. Still, Havertz drifted around the Emirates turf in a bid to affect proceedings in multiple areas of the pitch. Before he bravely headed home the opener with a trademark ghosting run into the box, Havertz was on the overlap and wreaking havoc from the byline.

As the game progressed, the German's position became more fixed and he played a key role in offering Arsenal respite by winning fouls and holding the ball up. His link-up play wasn't perfect, but he had some lovely moments, including his flick for Gabriel Martinelli which almost led to a wonderful third.

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