Win Champions League: Arsenal FC 2 - 0 Paris Saint-Germain | Tuesday 1st October | KO: 20:00 BST | TNT Sports/Amazon Prime

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1841172491957420152

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1841173206347977195

The first glamour tie of our Champions League season...



Apart from the Inter trip this is the hardest game of this initial stage... the three time defending champions of France... it's Paris Saint-Germain.

As opposed to the Atalanta game we have a lot of our players back healthy for this and have the luxury of a couple of big stars being rested for this. Ben White in particular wasn't ready for Leicester but apparently will be fit for this.



As good as Ethan's cameo was, PSG's midfield is definitely their strong suit so I think Arteta will probably default to experience so probably use Trossard up top again as he's been extremely clutch for us in Europe so far.

With White back means we can rotate out Timber or Calafiori and also Jorginho was an unused substitute so could see him come in for an average Partey. M

The Opposition

One of the four other clubs that our manager has played for, we have an unbeaten record against PSG having won once and drawn three of our previous competitive matches. The last time we played PSG was in 2016/17 - the last Champions League season before our seven year drought from the big show. Faced them twice in the group stage and the home tie was a thrilling 2-2 with a Giroud penalty and Verratti own goal being cancelled out by a Cavani tap in and Iwobi own goal.



However...

The most famous night in Europe was when we faced them under George Graham in the 1993-94 Cup Winners' Cup Semi Final...

In the first leg in Paris a Wrighty opener was cancelled out by future Spud David Ginola meaning it was all to play for in the second leg at a packed Highbury.

Inside the opening ten minutes a sharp cross from Lee Dixon was met by a bullet header from Kevin Campbell (RIP) and we went one - nil up. Wrighty couldn't get his goal having several efforts saved but with a few saves from Seaman we made it over the line to face Parma in the final and win our ONLY major European honour...



Today's PSG are a very different beast to the side we faced 30 years ago... they're a team full of young talent having hit the reset button post MBappe. That doesn't mean they're any less dangerous though... beyond star names like Hakimi, Marquinhos and Ousmane Dembele their midfield has two real superstars of the future in Warren Zaire-Emery and Joao Neves but also Vitinha AND a star of the Euros in reserve - Fabian Ruiz.

However, like us they've been hit with a bit of an injury crisis recently. Vitinha missed their win on Friday night over Stade Rennes as did Donnarumma who's missed their last three games. New signing Desire Doue is a doubt and Nuno Mendes has recently been struggling with illness. This is in addition to long term absences Lucas Hernandez, Kimpembe and Goncalo Ramos.

Could be an opportunity for us to exploit their left back as they're currently playing 20 year old Lucas Peraldo there in Nuno Mendes' absence. Set pieces could be a road to victory if the giant Donnarumma doesn't play as it'd be new signing Matvei Safonov in goal, also Luis Enrique doesn't employ a set piece coach for PSG so this could be a huge opportunity at corners for us to get one.

Danger Man

We've mentioned WZE and and Neves but the man who's really stepped up post MBappe so far has been Bradley Barcola...



The young winger has been absolutely flying so far this season bagging six in six in Ligue but also eight goals and three assists in his last eleven games overall. Just check this out from last night... looks a scary player.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1839943298468774386

 

[Iwobeast]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1841200842126377197

Lol

 

[Mraven]

It's a positive result; I'm happy, but have concerns. PSG looked bright occasionally with their passing through our midfield. If we give more experienced, better functioning attacking sides this space; we may struggle. Leverkusen, Munich, Real, Athletico, Inter, City and Liverpool will be the real challenge imo.

Not sure what you expect mate. Of course there will be space when we commit forward. PSG had an xG of 0,27. In the history of the stat, PSG has never had a lower xG in CL.

Arteta nullified one of the great European teams to nothing like they were a championship side.

 

[GoonerJay24]

Not sure what you expect mate. Of course there will be space when we commit forward. PSG had an xG of 0,27. In the history of the stat, PSG has never had a lower xG in CL.

Arteta nullified one of the great European teams to nothing like they were a championship side.

They're not a great European team anymore; most of those players aren't in their prime.

Unsurprisingly they looked most threatening when their more experienced players were subbed.

 

[avenellroad]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1841200842126377197

Lol

Zaire-Emery has the face of someone who has just seen his doppelganger

 

[Dennis_Bergkamp_10]

I've seen a few great United-comments on our game

Wish there were more epic hard fought 1-1 games like that famous clash between United and FC Twente

Hopefully there's an extensive thread on a PSG forum somewhere crywanking about how they never should have sold Ugarte.

God knows we'd have one.

 

[berric]

I'm still shocked at how competent the ref was last night, on both ends.

 

[drippin]

The average age of PSG starting line-up is 22,64 years if I’m correct.

Interesting, not too much experience and away from home.

Seems like having a midfield with average age of under 21 years is not the best option in real life. They didn't know what to do or how take a lead in build-up. Naturally they also lacked physicality for long balls and otherwise. Weird how Enrique didn't start Ruiz.

That high press, with Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber, Rice and Partey/Merino catching those long balls, will be brutal.

A very nice start to UCL in a year when finishing top 8 in the new system is crucial.

 

[Tomb Bombadil]

I just realised if you are on place 9 - 24 you gonna play the ko-phase and that's like the round of 32 and not round of 16. So you have 4 more games and not just the 2 from the groupe phase. So you gonna play always twice a week the whole year I guess.

For that we a pretty thin squad. Arteta really needs to learn how to rotate.

 

[Jasinho]

Zaire-Emery has the face of someone who has just seen his doppelganger

Who would that be, Nwaneri?

 

[SA Gunner]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1841371776728625311

 

[db10_therza]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1841371776728625311

Said before that Havertz's movement is his best attribute. His understanding of spaces and timing of runs is exceptional. It's a real strength of his when playing up front (and a weakness of his when playing in midfield).

 

[GoonerJeeves]

We'll play better sides than this PSG team this season, but this was a solid and mature performance by us. Very different from what we saw against Porto and Bayern Munchen last year.

Encouraging.

 

[Jasard]

Said before that Havertz's movement is his best attribute. His understanding of spaces and timing of runs is exceptional. It's a real strength of his when playing up front (and a weakness of his when playing in midfield).

Thought it was one of his best games for us. He looks a lot more mature and disciplined as a forward than Jesus does at the moment

 

[dino bravo]

Thought it was one of his best games for us. He looks a lot more mature and disciplined as a forward than Jesus does at the moment

Jesus is just a busted flush, the more his confidence plummets the greedier he gets. I just pray we do not have to rely on him for any length of time.

 

[Gooner505]

Yeah that has to be it. Look at that chance he missed start of the second half that he shot straight at Donnaruma. PSG looked to counter quickly and within 5 seconds Martinelli was defending Hakimi, another 5 seconds and he was pressuring the winger and the ball went backwards. Not many attackers do that after missing a chance. I guess that is why Arteta has so much time for him but he has to start scoring more.

Agreed. Martinelli is one of the best defending and pressing wingers in the world right now. It’s why Trossard often looks flat when he starts, he just doesn’t have the engine Martinelli has. I see progress with his finishing and passing, just give him time. He’s been better in the last few games at slowing down and making the right play. Martinelli will go on a goal-scoring run this year, I really believe it.

 

[Gooner505]

I think Timber has the potential to be one of the best RBs in the world. I just hope he can stay healthy.

He’s so good at one-on-one defending, but also is super press-resistant, can carry the ball forward, can overlap and underlap, and delivers good crosses into the box. He’s an absolute beast. What a signing.

 

[bergholt]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1841371776728625311

That's hilarious to watch, it's like everyone else lags out and Havertz is the only one still able to run

 

[bergholt]

I doubt we will. Timber, White, and Tomiyasu all being unavailable at once is a freak situation.

I desperately hope you're right. Not sure I could stand it if Timber turned out to be injury prone.

 

[redanddread]

Thought we were a little too passive in the 2nd 1/2 but guess it's a consequence of a team as a whole that feel comfortable defending anywhere on the pitch. When we had the ball we looked good and moved it efficiently. The typical "professional" performance - a mature performance, evidence of a team that's growing up in front of our eyes.

Loved the Havertz goal as it's the type of goal we just never used to score in Arsène's days.

This team is at about 75% right now, fitting in new pieces, certain players coming back from injuries, new midfield combinations . Arteta priming the team to be ready when the slog starts and it starts soon!!

I believe we will go deep in this competition but I need to see a little more to believe we can win it - reserve my judgement until I see how we handle Inter away - which will be a real test.

Without a doubt this team has grown up since last year.

Things that need to happen for us to go all the way.

1. Martinelli needs to start producing output...he's playing well but needs to start scoring.
2. Midfield needs to be settled and cooking
3. Lord go easy on us with injuries!!

 

[Blankety Blank]

Agreed. Martinelli is one of the best defending and pressing wingers in the world right now. It’s why Trossard often looks flat when he starts, he just doesn’t have the engine Martinelli has. I see progress with his finishing and passing, just give him time. He’s been better in the last few games at slowing down and making the right play. Martinelli will go on a goal-scoring run this year, I really believe it.

People playing down off the ball stuff really need to give their head a wobble.
If one of those Nelli chances goes in he has a top game.

The main reason we are actually competing with the likes of Man City & the top teams in Europe is because we are likely the best 'off the ball' team around.

You can spend loads of money have very good players but if you don't get the off the ball stuff right consistently you are basically Man U right now.