Paris conquered, Southampton next

The stats and the score line do not match for PSG game. We had only 35% possession but we won 2-0. A goal each from Havertz and Saka in the first half made sure we are picking up our first win in the Champions League. Kai’s header of a Trossard cross was a brilliant one and to beat Donnarumma for it in the box is some achievement. Second goal was Saka and some luck. Saka took a free kick from near the box and couple of Arsenal players tried to get some touch on it but failed. It failed so bad that not one Arsenal player, nor the PSG GK was able to get a touch on it and we got our second goal.

It’s a concern that Mikel had to replace Timber with Kiwior in the second half, we have a partnership developing between our back 4, and the introduction of Calafiori on the left is helping Martinelli. While attacking, we have 2 solid CBs covering our ground and both the fullbacks are part of the attack causing Chaos in the opposition half. They are good, both defensively and in attack, they are fast and they recover back very well. With Zinchenko, we had the problem that he was poor defensively. With Kiwior, we lack the recovery speed and he isn’t that good in attack. Ben White has been phenomenal and he will be part of the team and with proper rotation Mikel can keep everyone happy. But the Timber/Calafiori on either side looks very promising to the way Arteta sets up.

Merino made his debut in Arsenal shirt and the time frame was too small to judge him. We needed him though, that midfield should only have one of the Partey and Rice.

Right, lets get back to Premier League where we are playing Southampton at home tomorrow. It looks to be easy one but when you consider the fact that we dropped 4 points against them last season, it’s NOT. Southampton were relegated at the end of 2022-23 but they made us suffer in both ties. We had 1-1 away in the first leg and shared points again at home in a 3-3 score when we were trailing 3-1 till 85th minute and braces from Odegaard and Saka made sure we didn’t lose at home against a relegation fighting team. They are back in Premier League this season, and we should remember what they did to us.

Are we going to see Nwaneri in the starting line up against Southampton tomorrow? Remains to be seen, but we fans have been waiting for it. There is some excitement when we see an academy player get into the team and perform. Perhaps, Wenger ruined us all when he used to get results with 17-18 year old Wilsheres and Walcotts. Saka is one of the best winger in the world and comes from the very same academy. ESR/Nketiah made name for themselves but fell short for a title winning team; earned us some money while serving for years when needed though. We are in a title challenge and we can’t afford to drop points so playing a youngster gets riskier. There is a learning curve with young guns and that curve sometimes costs you points. Nwaneri’s case is different in the sense that he looks ready and from whatever we have seen of him, he looks to be a part of that team already. Let us see what he does when he gets his ‘game’ and whether he will sort out the Odegaard situation for us.

Right, a short one today. I took my laptop to service centre and got to know I have burnt the RAM. Got it fixed and I don’t have to watch another game on a mobile phone like the PSG one. Hope you have a good Friday and I will back with a match day blog tomorrow.

Cheers.