Havertz and Saka star as Arsenal sink PSG

"We suffered more than we should have in the second half. The Champions League brings different demands but we handled it well.

"I'm really pleased. It's good for our belief. We put our stamp on how we want to play against the best teams in Europe."

Praising Havertz's influential display, Arteta said: "He has been unbelievable. His football brain and work ethic are incredible.

"Now he is a real threat around the box. He is one of our main players at the moment."

There was further good news for Arsenal as Spain midfielder Mikel Merino made his long-awaited debut for the last 30 minutes.

Merino's recovery from a shoulder injury suffered in his first training session following his close-season move from Real Sociedad was a welcome boost for Arteta with Martin Odegaard currently sidelined.

PSG boss Luis Enrique slammed his players, saying: "Arsenal were much better than us, in terms of intensity and in the duels.

"It's impossible to come out of the game with a positive result if you don't win any of the duels. From the first minute Arsenal were superior to us. They deserved to win."

Havertz rewarded Arsenal's relentless pressure with the opener in the 20th minute.

Leandro Trossard curled a pin-point cross into the six-yard box and Havertz made a perfectly-timed run behind the visitors' flat-footed defence to bravely head past advancing keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Havertz, who scored Chelsea's Champions League final winner in 2021, endured a difficult start with Arsenal after moving across London for £65 million ($86 million) last year.

But since the start of February, only three Premier League players have more combined goals and assists in all competitions than Havertz's tally of 21 as he banishes the 'waste of money' jibes.