Arsenal’s flying start continued on Tuesday night with a comfortable victory over Paris Saint-Germain in Europe.
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka both struck before half-time at the Emirates Stadium, with French champions PSG posing few problems to Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal now have four points from their first two games in Europe after a goalless draw with Atalanta, and also remain unbeaten in the Premier League and EFL Cup.
Tuesday’s match also brought a long-awaited debut for Mikel Merino, The Spanish midfielder was injured in his first training session after his summer move from Real Sociedad, but replaced Thomas Partey during the second half.
With captain Martin Odegaard still sidelined, Merino could have an important role to play in the coming weeks. Both players are in focus as Mirror Football brings you the latest from around the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta impressed with Merino
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was finally able to hand Mikel Merino a debut on Tuesday, and spoke about how impressed he has been with the Spaniard. “Really good, because he joined us and first session he got injured,” the manager began.
“He had only one session with us, he was ready, he was really willing to be part of this today and obviously with the injuries and changes we had to make, we believe that he was the player that could help us in that phase. I think he’s done really well.”
Reflecting on the win in a wider sense, he said: “I think it raises the confidence and belief that we can compete with any team at that level in European competitions, with the style of games that are very different to the Premier League. I think we showed a lot of maturity in the way we played.”
Odegaard to miss internationals
While the Gunners wait to learn when Martin Odegaard might be fit to return, Norway know he won’t be available for the upcoming international break. Arsenal’s captain, who also skippers his national side, was injured during a UEFA Nations League match in September.
“He is far from being in the squad,” Norway manager Stale Solbakken said of Odegaard. “We will have to see how far he gets during this international break. It is possible that he will come, but it depends a little on his rehabilitation. I have not spoken to him in the past four or five days.”
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Norway were already without Manchester City youngster Oscar Bobb, who suffered a broken leg in August. “That both Oscar and Martin are out at the same time – it would be naive to say that it doesn’t have a meaning,” Solbakken said,
Solbakken’s side have four points from their first two Nations League games at home to Austria and away to Kazakhstan. Their next two matches see them host Slovenia before travelling to Austria on October 13.
Debutant refflects on Gunners bow
Mikel Merino has opened up on the injury which delayed his Arsenal debut, and the delight in finally making up for lost time. It was really tough mentally to be honest,” the former Real Sociedad star said.
“To come in here, you want to have a nice few days to show everybody what you are capable of, to show why they have put faith in you and then the first thing that happens is you break your scapula.
