3 takeaways as Arsenal blow PSG away in the Champions League

  • Arsenal claimed a deserved 2-0 win over PSG on Tuesday
  • Result shows the Gunners can compete with ‘big’ European teams
  • A lot to like about the game, but there is room for improvement up top
Arsenal earned their first Champions League win of the season on Tuesday
Arsenal earned their first Champions League win of the season on Tuesday / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
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2. Arsenal have gained emotional maturity

Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal managed the game well against PSG / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Ironically, our ability to keep emotions in check versus the European big boys would bring a tear to your eye.

Emotional maturity was a key feature of this win. Arsenal kept their discipline, focus and defensive shape intact and, bar a fantastic effort by Nuno Mendes, PSG never really came close to a first-half goal.

Nerves jangled at times after the break, but the visitors were kept at bay and Arsenal stuck to their rearguard principles, not letting any tussles escalate (e.g. tensions briefly flared between Riccardo Calafiori and Fabian Ruiz) and seeing the game out with relative comfort.

Playing the occasion over the match is always a dangerous ploy, and it arguably cost us against Bayern Munich last April. So, to not let it happen here indicates that Arsenal are growing/learning quickly and it could serve them well in the knockout phase.

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