It seems like we’re still coming down from that emphatic last-minute winner on Saturday afternoon, but it’s time to welcome back that beautiful Champions League music.
Arsenal kick off their European campaign with what looks set to be their toughest fixture of the group, and an away tie with PSG first up has its pro’s and con’s.
The Gunners will be keen to get this one out-of-the-way, and it looks as if Arsene Wenger is taking no risks by setting aside some of his biggest stars to have a better chance at three points.
Both Granit Xhaka and Alexis Sanchez were dropped to the bench at the weekend, and they will both be expected to start with fresh legs ahead of a packed fixture schedule.
The weekend showed just how much strength in-depth Arsenal have with everyone fit, and with two more players on their way back things can only get better.
Team News
It’s good news all round at the moment, as Wenger revealed Laurent Koscielny will definitely be available despite reports suggesting he was overcoming an eye injury.
Also on the mend and ready to come back in is Aaron Ramsey who took part in full training on Monday after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained on the opening day of the season.
It’s likely Wenger won’t risk the Welshman from the start though, and he will be one of many big names on what looks like an incredibly strong bench for this tie.
On the sidelines since pre-season, Gabriel is now back in training with the first team and once up to match fitness is expected to come in for the EFL Cup game vs. Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal Absentees: P. Mertesacker (knee), D. Welbeck (knee), C. Jenkinson (Match Fitness)
One’s To Watch
Arsenal – Olivier Giroud
A big night in his home country, and after Wenger confirmed Lucas needs time to adapt to the fast paced nature of Arsenal’s game Giroud really has a chance.
With his experience in this competition Wenger will put all of his faith in the striker to produce the goods, but this time there’s so much more to it.
After Lucas made his debut on Saturday it looks as if the £17million man could well be the first-choice forward on Wenger’s books, and now Giroud has to fight back.
He’s yet to get a goal this season at club level so a good performance will work in his favour for the near future, his fresh legs will give Arsenal some threat against a demanding PSG defence.
Likely Line-Ups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Cazorla, Walcott, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
PSG (4-2-3-1): Trapp, Meunier, Marquinos, Kimpembe, Aurier, Motta, Rabiot, Veratti, Moura, Di Maria, Cavani
Prediction: PSG 2 – 2 Arsenal
It’s a tough one to predict especially when you remember these two sides are still getting to grips with a number of changes, with PSG having welcomed a new manager earlier this summer.
Whilst Arsenal always seem to have a poor start in this competition, the defensive woes of PSG are only increasing after their draw on Saturday, with just three established defenders fit.
Their lack of experience at the back will be welcome news for Arsenal, but one thing these sides both pose is real attacking threat, and if PSG can get comfortable then goals should come with it.
Arsenal have picked up points this season but haven’t looked entirely convincing when trying to see out the result, and one slip up against PSG will cost them.
Wenger will be more than happy with a point in this fixture but all three of them isn’t hard to get and Arsenal should push everything to make their progression a little easier.
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