Former Arsenal player Samir Nasri has singled out goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for criticism following Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium. The match saw Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka scoring for the Gunners.
Nasri, now working as a pundit, highlighted Donnarumma’s weakness in dealing with aerial balls, attributing fault to the goalkeeper for both of Arsenal’s goals. He pointed out Donnarumma’s struggles in handling crosses and a free-kick that led to the goals.
Despite Donnarumma’s errors, PSG manager Luis Enrique shouldered the blame for the defeat, acknowledging Arsenal’s defensive superiority. Enrique admitted that his team’s forwards were unable to match Arsenal’s defenders in anticipation, leading to a lacklustre performance.
Following the match, Enrique acknowledged the gap between PSG and Europe’s top teams, citing Mikel Arteta’s longstanding tenure at Arsenal as a factor in the Gunners’ success. Enrique expressed his vision for PSG but conceded uncertainty about the timeline for closing the gap with elite clubs.
The defeat to Arsenal has prompted reflections within the PSG camp, with recognition of the work needed to elevate the team to a competitive level in European football. Nasri’s critique of Donnarumma sheds light on the individual errors that contributed to PSG’s loss, while Enrique’s candid assessment emphasises the challenges ahead for the French side in their quest for continental success.