ARSENAL DOMINATE PSG TECHNICIANS

PSG MASTERCLASS

Listen, I’m going to keep this really short and sweet today because I watched the game after the fact, and it always feels wrong writing about it when I wasn’t in the moment, watching through the lens of knowing the result.

But… what a performance.

That is how you do the Champions League. PSG is a good team, with a world-class coach and unbelievable funding, yet we made them look extremely average for the majority of the game.

Five years ago, I’d watch Champions League games and be so put off by how far behind we were that I’d stop watching. Intelligent pressing, line-breaking passes, Hollywood balls, committed superstars, and chess-like nullifications were pipe dreams. Now we’re at that level. A team capable of hosting a big side, in a big moment, and delivering.

Kai Havertz has now scored in six consecutive games at The Emirates. He was the Tall Boy Summer by stealth. When you look at his game, what are we really missing in that role that someone else would do better? The lanky German already has more goals than Gabriel Jesus. That is offensively good. Poor Gabi J, yesterday’s man as things stand.

And what about Trossard? We were all scratching our heads, wondering where the creativity was going to come from, and no one really thought Trossard would be receiving balls on the half-turn and delivering through-ball excellence. But he’s that guy. How have so many writers watched so many big games without Martin Odegaard and not had to pen ‘Arsenal miss their captain and talismanic creator’? It’s not a mystery. Trossard has another level to his game that we were blind to. He was brilliant.

The first goal was him picking the ball up deep in our half, skinning two players—one twice—then somehow finding the German with a ball that bypassed seven players and a keeper.

Don’t be a coward. Call it what it is. That’s right: world-class.

This post will jump around a bit, but I also took some time to appreciate that the best place in the world to be a keeper right now is the Premier League. You go to Italy for the best pasta, France for the finest cheese, California for the best Champagne… but if you’re hunting out keepers, the Premier League is the only place to get a guarantee these days. David Raya was dropping through balls to Kai Havertz over the shoulder of top-class defenders. It was disgusting stuff. His all-round game put Donnarumma in the shadows. The giant Italian made a mess of the two goals he conceded; his kicking was nowhere near the level, and he looked very uncomfortable. Could never be Raya.

Saka continued his imperious form with a goal from a free-kick that evaded everyone. The low ball fizzed in at chest height, bounced, and skidded past Donnarumma. An ugly goal you wouldn’t frame—but exactly what we needed.

Thomas Partey had a good game, but you need to brace yourself for what’s about to happen, especially his most loyal fans who are NOT happy with some of the slander I’ve been sending his way… but Merino is the future, and that future is going to hit you harder and faster than Raya last season. Remember the Ramsdalians?

‘Guys, for sure Mikel Arteta is about to change the game and start subbing keepers at half-time to alter the game state.’

Where are we with that now? He lied.

Thomas Partey is going to be our backup No. 6, and Declan is moving into his role to make way for Merino. Partey is not a bad player. He has not been terrible. But if you’ve been blindsided by the sloppy play, the lack of legs, and the general decline… I feel for you, because the coaching staff certainly won’t have missed that. Nor will Mikel. I wrote the same thing last season about Ramsdale. Brace yourselves.

I don’t want to labour on Gabi J too much, but he really is struggling to draw positive attention to himself in that forward line. He had a good preseason, and he’s supposedly fitter than ever, but he doesn’t seem to be able to impact games like he used to. I feel for him. Martinelli looks like he’s getting better and better, and when Merino slips into that No. 8 role, he’ll go up another level. The Brazilian looks like he’s in an identity crisis. It’s a bit sad.

Final shoutout has to go to Timber, who was sensational before getting hooked early. I just can’t believe how insane he is as a player—he can do everything. He’s like a Gabi Jesus in the fullback position. His tackling is clean, his recovery speed is exceptional, and his game intelligence is unparalleled. What an outrageous talent. How did United miss out on him when they were waving 65 giant bags of cash at Ajax? Let’s hope the early subbing was precautionary!

OK, that’s me done. The On The Whistle is for members only—you can sign up here and gain access by clicking the subscribe button.

There’s also a lovely Therapy Session I did with Jacob this morning.

P.S. I’m in LA tonight to see Olivier Giroud!