Arsenal welcome Paris Saint-Germain to the Emirates stadium on October 1 as Mikel Arteta’s insistence on defensive stability will be tested once again, taking on one of Europe’s most feared sides in recent years.
While they may be criticised for their defensive approach, Arsenal’s backline has proven to be crucial so far this season, helping them to remain unbeaten despite a tough fixture list, coming away with four clean sheets in six matches across all competitions.
David Raya’s excellent performances so far will provide confidence for Arsenal, who traditionally have shown defensive frailty in European competition. The Spaniard saved two penalties in Arsenal’s last three games – a European draw against Atalanta was an impressive display followed by a trip to Manchester City.
The Parisians are also unbeaten so far this season and returned to Champions League action with a 1-0 win over Girona.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides in eight years, where both games in the group stage played out entertaining draws. A lot has changed since then, and both clubs have taken a change in approach in an attempt to claim their first Champions League trophy. At the time of writing, the Gunners just edge it out as favourites among the best online betting apps but expect a gruelling European battle.
The aim for PSG’s owners has always been clear, win the Champions League. After attracting the biggest names in world football and assembling a team that boasted the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, they had the chance to do just that.
In 2020, they reached a European final for the first time in their history, but were defeated by Bayern Munich, with the only goal coming from PSG academy graduate Kingsley Coman. This sparked a clear out of big names on astronomical wages, as they seek another route to European glory.
With Kylian Mbappe leaving for Real Madrid this summer, PSG have a new look squad and can rely on a host of attacking talent to fill the void. Bradley Barcola has impressed in France since his move from Lyon, and Ousmane Dembele has provided 4 goals and 2 assists in 5 Ligue 1 matches.
This champions league campaign will be different from ever before, with the competition being expanded from 32 to 36 teams and played out in a league format, with the top 8 advancing automatically to the round of 16. A win for either side could prove massive, as Arsenal and PSG are arguably the strongest of the 9 teams in their group. Should either side finish 9th-24th, they’ll need to win a 2-leg play off to advance to the round of 16, meaning 3 points in this game could prove vital.
Arsenal’s hard fought draw at the Etihad should provide confidence for the hosts, but the midfield battle could be their downfall. Arsenal lost captain Martin Odegaard to injury and the summer departures of Emile Smith-Rowe and Fabio Vieira leaves them short creatively. So far this hasn’t proven to be an issue, but a busy fixture list and their reliance on goals from set-pieces means they need to find a solution fast.
Goals from Gabriel against Spurs and Man City helped them to come away with results and lightening may need to strike a third time if they can’t find a way through open play. Leandro Trossard started in midfield against City, but Kai Havertz has often been used in that role, and with PSG’s willingness to attack opposed to Arsenal’s defensive set up, the height and grit of Havertz may be preferred, leaving Gabriel Jesus to lead the line.
The Brazilian was in scorching form in last season’s competition scoring 4 goals and getting 3 assists. His pace on the counter could be the key to Arsenal winning this game.
PSG dominated Girona in their only CL clash so far, but needed a last minute own goal from Paulo Gazzaniga to break the deadlock.
Their wastefulness in that game can’t be repeated against a stern defence as chances may come few and far in between.
In Ligue 1 however they have run riot scoring 17 goals in five games, and four goals each for Barcola and Dembele is an impressive start for their wide men who look to come narrow.
Joao Neves has lived up to his billing so far as one of the most impressive young players in Europe, providing five assists in as many games. Whether he starts or not, Rice and Partey will have a job to nullify the creativity of the opposition midfield which also boasts the likes of Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery.
The man who could make all the difference in this game is Declan Rice. PSG will look to dominate the ball and get at Arsenal quickly, it will be Rice’s job to break up the play and get Arsenal on the counter attack.
As for PSG, you can’t ignore the output of their wingers, and Arsenal’s full backs will have to be on top form if they are to keep another clean sheet. Calafiori seems to be Arteta’s main choice at left back, and with Ben White initially being rested for the City game to avoid injury, it could be a toss up between him and Jurrien Timber at right back to deal with Barcola.
Bukayo Saka up against Nuno Mendes could prove to be a scintillating watch, as both love to bomb up and down the wing covering both attacking and defensive responsibility, and with the likelihood of this game being won on the counter, this is a battle to keep any eye on.
Randal Kolo-Muani will be keen to add to his goal tally, and Gabriel will likely be the man he tries to draw in to use his trademark turn to carve out a chance from nothing.
While being sensational so far this season, Gabriel has been criticised for his concentration in the past, and will have to be focused right until the end to keep up with Kolo-Muani’s pace, power and trickery.
Expect an entertaining match up between two sides desperate to prove their European pedigree. While an early goal could open the game up, Arteta won’t want his men to go chasing the win at the expense of a cheap goal conceded. The pitch will be littered with attacking talent and neither side will want to lose their unbeaten record thus far. While the game should be a tactical game of chess which Arteta looks to keep tight, one piece of individual class could be the difference.
Prediction : 2-1 Arsenal
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Arsenal en Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) zullen elkaar binnenkort ontmoeten in de Champions League, een wedstrijd die veel voetbalfans over de hele wereld in spanning houdt. Beide teams behoren tot de topclubs in Europa en hebben een rijke geschiedenis in het internationale voetbal.
Arsenal, gevestigd in Londen, is een van de meest succesvolle clubs in Engeland. Ze hebben verschillende keren de Premier League gewonnen en hebben ook successen behaald in de FA Cup en de League Cup. Onder leiding van manager Mikel Arteta hebben ze de afgelopen jaren een sterke ploeg opgebouwd met spelers als Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka en Thomas Partey.
Aan de andere kant hebben we PSG, gevestigd in Parijs, Frankrijk. PSG is een van de rijkste clubs ter wereld en heeft de afgelopen jaren veel geïnvesteerd in het aantrekken van topvoetballers zoals Neymar, Kylian Mbappé en Lionel Messi. Onder leiding van manager Mauricio Pochettino hebben ze hun zinnen gezet op het winnen van de Champions League, een trofee die hen tot nu toe is ontglipt.
De confrontatie tussen Arsenal en PSG belooft een spannende wedstrijd te worden, met beide teams die strijden om een plek in de volgende ronde van de Champions League. Arsenal zal proberen hun thuisvoordeel te benutten en PSG te verslaan met hun snelle aanval en solide verdediging. PSG zal op hun beurt vertrouwen op hun sterrenspelers om het verschil te maken en een overwinning veilig te stellen.
Voetbalfans over de hele wereld kijken reikhalzend uit naar deze wedstrijd en kunnen zich verheugen op een intense en opwindende confrontatie tussen twee van Europa’s topclubs. Het belooft een spektakel te worden dat niemand wil missen. We zullen moeten afwachten wie er uiteindelijk als winnaar uit de bus zal komen, maar één ding is zeker: het wordt een wedstrijd om naar uit te kijken.
