PSG’s gamble backfired spectacularly in their Champions League opener, as they suffered a humbling 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal. The absence of Ousmane Dembélé, a key player who had been in fine form for the French giants, proved to be a major factor in their downfall.
Luis Enrique, the PSG coach, had made the controversial decision to leave Dembélé out of the squad due to what he perceived as a lack of commitment. This decision came as a surprise given Dembélé’s recent performances, having scored four goals and provided three assists in Ligue 1 this season.
To fill the void left by Dembélé, Enrique fielded Désiré Doué and Lee Kang-in alongside Bradley Barcola in attack. However, facing a formidable Arsenal backline, PSG’s attackers struggled to create any meaningful chances at the Emirates Stadium. The buoyant PSG fans in the stands did a better job than their players in generating excitement.
Arsenal, on the other hand, were in complete control throughout the match. Their midfield was dominant, and their attacking players were incisive. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka both found the back of the net in the first half to give Arsenal a comfortable lead.
Despite making late substitutions, PSG were unable to turn the tide. Their attacks lacked creativity and purpose, and they were ultimately unable to breach Arsenal’s well-organized defense.
Luis Enrique, in a post-match interview, took responsibility for the defeat, highlighting the poor decision-making by his players, particularly in the final third. He also acknowledged that Arsenal’s defense anticipated PSG’s moves effectively, leaving their attackers frustrated.
This result is a major setback for PSG, who had entered the competition with high hopes. They had been undefeated in all competitions prior to this game. Meanwhile, Arsenal celebrated their first win in the competition, following a draw against Atalanta in their opening match.
The performance of PSG’s young players, particularly Désiré Doué, was disappointing. Doué, who had been recruited from Rennes for a hefty fee, was preferred over the experienced Randal Kolo Muani but failed to impress. The match highlighted the significant challenge facing PSG as they navigate the post-Kylian Mbappé era. The pressure will be on Luis Enrique to find a way to overcome these shortcomings and get his team back on track.
