First half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were enough for Arsenal to take three points against PSG at the Emirates this evening.
The Gunners produced a really professional European performance to beat last season’s semi-finalists, and could have added more to the tally. The visitors had occasional moments, but were mostly held at arm’s length my Mikel Arteta’s men.
Here’s how the players rated this evening.
Read the Arsenal 2-0 PSG match report and see the goal here
The ratings are hidden by default until you vote, but if you just want to view the ratings and the comments, flick the switch at the top above David Raya. Also, please give the ratings a few seconds to load.
Please note: Ratings currently don’t work in the Arseblog apps – open in a browser for full functionality.
Believe this is now the 3rd consecutive game where I’m pleased with Partey.
Let’s hope this continues.
Agreed w/ Jesus but feel he will be great again after the interlull!
Jesus has got a semi permanent “I can smell cat shit but I’m not sure where it is” expression at the moment.
My money would be on Donnarumma pants.
I just think lads lost bit of faith in him too, alot of talk , oh we never needed a new 9, I think we do not as a kai replacement but as a jesus one .
Jesus is winger at best but whether it’s his knees or run of games , it’s not happening for him .
Dont write him off just yet! The season is long and has a role to play! We need to back the team! This is our season
Agreed – and don’t underestimate the ‘fly in the ointment’ nuisance that he creates amongst defenses and midfields – he may not be scoring but he forces teams into scrambling and so creates space for others.
I think Jesus could excel in the 8 position. A midfield transformation a La joelinton who he is 10x better than could suit his skill set.
I think the tactics have changed to adapt to his lack of recovery pace. Even during set pieces, Saliba stayed as the last man for most of this game, while Rice was next to Partey on the build up during the first half, forming a double pivot. Thomas is still real quality on the ball and was able to show it today. Also, better at winning duels than Jorgi.
TP5 is back to proper fitness and looks better with each passing game. He is so important to how we play both defensively and offensively with his forward passes between the lines. We immediately missed his presence when he went off. Been pretty amazed at some of stick he has been getting. Wonderful player.
Well said, ,the usual bloggers dont get that yet 🙂 in time, maybe. Bias .. a shitty thing.
tbf he hasn’t been at this level in the games where he got criticised. He’s been slowly building up his fitness, he looks like he’s getting there. Hopefully he stays fit.
I get you and that’s the point. You are referring to the first 4 games of the season where we conceded one goal so clearly he played his part in that. Also when odegarrd comes back I doubt we will be saying after 4 or 5 games let’s move him on, he is past it, he is to slow, he keeps getting caught on the ball. Partey is a really important cog in our wheel and we need him to stay fit.
Always felt that – he’s got a bit of Gilberto about him: rangy to the point of almost looking gawky, but calm on the ball, great distributor, and never does anything flash… just ticks over silently.
What a defence to be proud of. And Arteta has been proved right to persist with Partey who was the boss tonight at the base of midfield.
Was a stand out last game too…some lazy run of the mill opinions, think not.
Exactly this. I admit that I have been frustrated with some of TP5’s displays recently. Same for Martinelli. I said to my mate last game that Martinelli really needs a goal, has looked out of sorts, but Arteta seems to be sticking with him to play him into some form. He then scored. His confidence has returned and he looks so much better. Same for Partey. He’s had loads of injuries, but when he gets to put a run of games together, he shines. I will now not be quick to judge any of the teams performance and will instead… Read more »
Bonus: Seeing Bobby Pires in the stands looking young as ever!
Young enough to run at this PSG side, I dare say…
Partey’s best game for years.
Partey played well
Timber reminds me of Lauren while Calafiori, for some reason, Robert Pires
Same hairdresser as Bobby?
The way he shoots, too 😂
That’s a great shout. They both almost cringe when striking the ball don’t they, sorta withdraw into themselves almost. I’ll never unsee that now!
Billy Carpenter wrote last week that we’re still coming to appreciate just how incredible the summer of ‘23 transfer window was. So true. Rice, Havertz, Raya, Timber. Amazing business.
I’m so pleased we’re winning games but the second half performances need to improve. A bit more dominance is good for the nerves 🙂
Some of Raya’s long kicks are just incredible, almost had a brilliant assist to Martinelli, then later found Trossard I think with a pinpoint long kick to the sideline in the middle of their half, right to our player’s feet. He also claims every cross he could possibly claim, inspires calmness, makes great saves… I honestly wasn’t convinced by him even by the end of last season, but judging by recent form he’s literally been one of the best keepers in the world.
My my what strong fullbacks we have. Every game I find this back line more enjoyable. Saliba and Big Gabbie just imperious and jolly. Calafiori and Timber marauding up and down the touchline like savannah wildcats. Makes me swoon.
And then Kiwior – like some silent Slavic assassin who just ‘gets on with it’ – plus Tomi coming back.
Looking good!
PS: hands up all those who muttered a silent prayer of thanks that it wasn’t Zinch trying to deal with Hakimi last night!!
Hakimi is a menace, he was trouble all night and you could see how much he wanted to make a fool of Calafiori. I’d bet ol’’salt and pepper Enrique is going to press that pressure point if we play them again.
Our full back positions are suddenly overflowing with options!
On the left we have Calafiori, Kiwior, Zinchenko(!)
On the right we have Timber, Ben White, Tomiyasu
with several of those names being interchangeable on both sides
Not forgetting a certain injury prone Scotsman and young Lewis-Skelly
Back 5 were immensely good yet again but Raya is setting new standards altogether, distribution and taking of crosses is different level. All the talk of Donaruma and Courtouis on form this man’s better all-rounder
I reckon Rice is having a quieter season because of the position he’s playing. Although Partey has been really good where he is, and he’s definitely getting better, I believe that’s Rice’s best position, where we see the most from him.
This is 100% true but also, people aren’t talking about what he gives us in that position enough either. How many times in the last few games has he made an interception in the oppositions half and created a dangerous opportunity?
He’s been good, not as great as he was often last season even at the 8, where his goal and assist contributions were pretty significant. I think it might also partly be not having played much with Odegaard, a player who makes everyone around him better and certainly his central midfield partner, most especially by making runs that open up space for others but also his passes, and their coordinated pressing together as two of the most intelligent and hard working players. It’s very tough to replace.
When we compare the seasons, think of the schedule we’ve had this last month.. when we see Rice against Southampton and the likes, in both 8 and 6 positions..
He has been good, actually thought some of his passing was brilliant against Leicester, but we’ve become accustomed to it. He’s in a double pivot in defence but a bit more advanced in attack and I think that suits him, will be fascinating to see how it all works with Odegaard and Merino back in the team.
Rice just isn’t as good at passing from 6 as Partey is.
That’s arguable, depending on what you mean by “good at passing” (accuracy, distance, penetration etc) but at any rate there’s more to playing 6 than passing.
There is a reason Arteta is playing an off form Partey and a half fit Jorginho ahead of Rice in that position. Rice is an amazing footballer. So amazing that we tend to overlook obvious flaws in his game. He can run for the whole day. He is pressing is second to none in that team but his passing though good was never his strongest point. For a team reliant on the pace of its wingers. Arsenal need a progressive(not sure it’s the right word to use) passer in that position to release the ball as earlier as possible. I… Read more »
That was comfortable, a bit boring at times, which given the opposition is amazing.
My ratings were almost exactly the same as everyone else’s including Blog’s. Good show one and all, including the Arsenal. Bravo
Winning without Ode, wonderful. Was concerned we’d struggle to create without him.
I think Havertz was MOTM. His work rate reminds me of Sanchez. Scores goals, holds up play, defends, help to link up all over. Absolutely brilliant player.
so nice to see a game and not be mad at the refs
I know Partey has come in for criticism legs gone he’s is still the best at what he does. If you think about it how many 6s in the world are better than Partey or even jorginho even with their flaws.
Blogs, you could save us some time in rating the squad by making an aggregate of our defense and reducing the scale from 7 to 10. They are always amazing!
This screed is an homage to Kai Havertz. He scores goals. Kai is the fox in the box Arsene always wanted (remember Fran Jeffers?). Most of his goals are scruffy as hell. Goals that are often defined by his “want to” rather than silky skills. His heading ability and courage allows us to add crosses to our game. He holds the ball up and distributes it. He doesn’t turn the ball over. He plays PHYSICAL defense. He presses. He wins duels on the pitch and in the air. Despite not getting many cards he sets picks, holds, pushes, hip checks,… Read more »
Phil Costa mentioned on the Arsecast yesterday that Havertz got the most yellow cards of any Arsenal player in the league last season. Other than that, I completely agree.
Given the amount fouls he commits it’s a paltry sum.
So… there is a looming menace very quietly, but inexorably building in this team. I was struck watching this one (on the back of the City heroics), by just how extraordinarily difficult it has become to get any change out of our rearguard! This, coupled with having proper midfield grit and creativity makes us such a threat on the counter. And let’s remember our skipper and Executive Creative Director has been missing! Then – we have Saka, Kai and Trosser (I think Fast Gabi needs a few to just ‘go in’ to regain confidence – poor lad can’t buy a… Read more »
PS: hands up all those who muttered a quick prayer of thanks that I wasn’t Zinch trying to deal with Hakimi down our left!!
If Partey keeps improving to the level he can reach and when Merino slots in and that left side begins to purr like the right…oh boy… I think we could actually do the double!! COYG
Which one, he asked?
Woke up sad that I didn’t miss Benny Blanco last night !!!