Arsenal claimed a 2-0 victory over French champions Paris Saint German on Tuesday night, flexing their muscles in the Champions League for their first win of the campaign.
Goals from Kai Havertz and captain Bukayo Saka put the icing on an excellent first-half cake, with the Gunners showing off fluid attacking, suffocating defending and trademark set-pieces.
It was a first half that showed why Arsenal could, and probably should, be going a long way in the competition this season.
Havertz’s goal was his sixth in six home games, finding different ways to score whether up front or midfield.
His link-up with Leandro Trossard in particular has given the Gunners great interplay up top with their big man-little man combination, movement and technical security.
Gabriel Martinelli also had a strong performance, working hard and threatening on the break.
Prior to the Leicester game at the weekend, Martinelli’s output had been down for a while, but his work rate and tactical understanding have kept him in the side throughout, and we saw that again against PSG.
Having Riccardo Calafiori has made a difference to Martinelli on the left, adding a left-footed option to overlap and provide width, allowing him to drift inside where he’s most dangerous.
Mikel Merino should also help the balance, with the left-footed Spaniard making his debut off the bench in midweek.
The Gunners welcome struggling Southampton, who have picked up just one point so far this season, to Emirates Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Arsenal should never underestimate a Premier League game, but it looks the perfect game to introduce youngster Ethan Nwaneri into the starting line-up.
Skipper Martin Odegaard has been out since the end of August and Arsenal have found new ways to stay creative in his absence.
Nwaneri is the closest profile to Odegaard in the squad and has starred in recent appearances against Bolton and Leicester.
Arteta was happy to sell Emile Smith Rowe and loan Fabio Vieira, freeing up space for Nwaneri, so it’s time to stand by the decision and reward an academy player who has been taking his chances.
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