Even though it feels like Paris Saint-Germain has played Chelsea around 100 times in the last few seasons, Tuesday’s game with Arsenal is only the first competitive meeting between these two clubs in 22 years.
Arsenal beat PSG 2-1 on aggregate, winning 1-0 at Highbury, to advance to the final of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994. Now, the stakes are higher and both clubs will be looking to win this Champions League group.
Finishing second can hand you a tougher passage through the knockout stage and with Arsenal having a history of losing out at the Round of 16 and PSG looking to reach the semi-finals, failing to top the group just isn’t an option for either side.
Something has to give.
In terms of team selection, it has been a bit like the hokey-cokey at the Parc des Prices. In, out, in out, change your team about.
After PSG’s 1-1 draw with Saint-Etienne, it was reported that Serge Aurier, Maxwell and Layvin Kurzawa were all set to miss out against Arsenal. It meant that Presnel Kimpembe would have to move to left-back and Thomas Meunier on the right.
Then on Monday night, Unai Emery named the Ivorian and elder Brazilian in his squad. Thiago Silva is set to start in his first competitive game of the season, he will play beside Marquinhos, in just his second game.
“I expect a tough game, a different contest to our game at the weekend, because Arsenal have a different formation and brand of football,” Unai Emery told press before the game. “The team look good to me, although we haven’t won our last two league matches.”
“I’ve assessed the whole squad, and they’ve looked me in the eye. It’s the same as it was on the first day. It’s about hard work, being determined and being optimistic – but, above all, hard work. We will see how [Thiago Silva] feels after training. There’s a chance he could be involved.”
Arsenal have had similar issues in their defence. Laurent Koscielny was supposed to miss the game due to an eye injury at the end of Saturday’s win over Southampton, but then 24 hours later, he was named in the squad and should line up next to Shkodran Mustafi.
“Koscielny’s alright,” Wenger announced. “He had a big knock on his face, but he’s recovered well. For me, he’s one of the best defenders in the world and I hope he’ll prove it tomorrow.”
In the past, PSG have tried to lure the French coach to be the man in charge at the Parc des Princes, but in reality, the QSI-owned club stands for everything that Wenger is against. But he does expect a tough test on Tuesday night.
“I love to come to Paris. It’s my country, and Paris are a good test for us, a club that’s above everyone else in France. France always produce good teams and good players, so it’s exciting for us to come to the city and compare ourselves.”
“We’ll play our own game and look to attack. PSG are very strong in midfield, and we’ll try to stop them feeding their forwards.”
It is set to be a fairly open game. Both clubs play their best football on the break, but for that to work it requires one team to take the initiative.
Both are used to controlling possession, so it could be a fixture that swings back and forward. So much emphasis will be placed on the talented attacks, but it could be the fitness of either defence that proves crucial in the opening game of this intriguing group.
PSG XI: Aurier – Aurier, Marquinhos, Silva, Maxwell – Verratti, Krychowiak, Rabiot – Di Maria, Cavani, Matuidi
Arsenal XI: Cech – Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal – Cazorla, Coquelin – Sanchez, Ozil, Walcott – Giroud
