Early morning October 2 (Vietnam time), Arsenal vs Paris St Germain is the most notable match in the opening match series of the second round of the UEFA Champions League 2024-2025.
Both teams have not lost a match in all competitions since the beginning of the season, but in the Champions League, Arsenal only got 1 point in the opening match (a 0-0 draw at Atalanta), while PSG were lucky to beat Girona 1-0.
Coach Mikel Arteta deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Riccardo Calafiori moved to left-back, Declan Rice partnering Thomas Partey in midfield, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli supporting Leandro Trossard up front.
Meanwhile, his Spanish colleague and compatriot on the other side of the front line - Luis Enrique, ranked young player Lee Kang-in in the "number 9" position.
Before this match, Arsenal and PSG had clashed in the group stage of the 2016-2017 Champions League, with 2 matches ending in draws, including a 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium.
In this match, Arsenal continued to score 2 goals but PSG did not. Arsenal played enthusiastically under the encouragement of home fans. The first chance belonged to Saka, when he broke through from the right wing and fired a dangerous shot that missed Gianluigi Donnarumma's goal.
At the other end, Calafiori was alert to ensure Achraf Hakimi did not escape him, making a crucial tackle before Arsenal took the lead in the 20th minute.
Trossard played as a central striker but was the creator from the left wing, crossing delicately for Havertz to cut in and head the ball.
PSG were held back for a long time before they could respond. Nuno Mendes headed against the post, while goalkeeper David Raya denied Hakimi.
In the 35th minute, the second goal came to the "Gunners", when Saka took a free kick, the ball passed through a series of players and defeated Donnarumma for the second time.
Arteta will be delighted with his side's first-half dominance, but he will also recall that Arsenal also led 2-0 against Leicester City before being held to a 2-2 draw last weekend, before scoring two more goals to win 4-2 on aggregate.
There were signs that the north Londoners had learned their lesson, as they built a defensive wall that left PSG deadlocked.
There was further reason for Arsenal fans to celebrate as Mikel Merino made his long-awaited debut after injury, coming on for Partey.
It was quite unfortunate for PSG when Joao Neves hit the crossbar and Lee Kang-in missed the chance to shorten the score.
With a 2-0 win, Arsenal have 4 points after 2 matches, and also have the longest unbeaten streak under Arteta - 15 matches (won 12, drawn 3).
Meanwhile, PSG extended their streak of not being able to win against Arsenal (drawing 3, losing 2) and ended their unbeaten streak since the beginning of the season.
This weekend, PSG return to Ligue 1 to face OGC Nice, while Arsenal take on Southampton.
