Paris Saint-Germain were outplayed by Arsenal at the Emirates as Mikel Arteta’s side earned three points in the Champions League.

Given the new format in the Champions League, Arsenal faced a blockbuster clash against PSG much earlier than expected in the tournament. 

Being a tie with quality that would typically be seen later in the competition, the Gunners tested their strength against Luis Enrique’s young squad, who were taught a firm lesson. 

Arsenal won 2-0 thanks to first half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, with last season’s semi finalists left out of the game by the hosts.

French media react to Arsenal Champions League performance against PSG

On a night where so many positives were able to be taken from Arsenal’s performance, Enrique was taught a lot about his side.

The Spaniard was gracious in defeat, with French media taking a similar stance by declaring their admiration over the display of Arteta’s squad. 

French newspaper Le Parisien described the fixture as being something comparable to men against boys, filling Arsenal with praise for their application against the Ligue 1 leaders. 

In a piece titled, ‘Bad night, little ones… Analysis of a defeat that hurts,’ the French outlet dubbed Enrique’s side ‘the little boys’ in the match up. 

“Arsenal have found the children once mocked by Patrice Evra on the Manchester United side but this time, it’s not about him. The little boys were on the PSG side this Tuesday on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium,” the post-match report read.

Journalist Dominique Severac admitted that PSG were ‘unable’ to reach the level required in the Champions League, leading to their dismantling at the hands of Arteta’s well-worked squad.

Mikel Arteta flexed Arsenal’s progression on the big stage

It wasn’t long ago that PSG would have headed to North London as the firm favourites to get the better of the Gunners, but those days are long gone.

The scoreline reads a two-goal win from the home side although there was so much more to the fixture than the two first half goals. 

Enrique’s side that is full to the brim with tricky technicians was reduced to a side of ‘little boys’, as Le Parisien hilariously put it. 

Having bolstered their claim to the Premier League title, the next task was for Arsenal to expand their prominence in the Champions League.

The manner of the win over PSG marked Arsenal’s arrival in this season’s tournament, with plenty for other sides to fear after viewing PSG’s struggle at the Emirates. 

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