One of the big decisions for Arsene Wenger as Arsenal prepared for this evening’s potentially decisive Champions League group game against PSG was what to do about his forward line. Despite the fact that Alexis Sanchez has been doing well in the new role of centre forward it was getting increasingly hard to ignore the claims of Olivier Giroud.
It turns out that Wenger has not been able to do so this time after the French international star’s latest heroics off the bench which rescued a Premier League point against Man United, as the big man will lead the line against the French champions tonight.
Perhaps the manager’s decision was influenced by the absence of the marauding right back Serge Aurier for the visitors and convinced him that the Chilean forward could do a lot of damage on our left flanks. The player to miss out, though, is the right sided Theo Walcott so I assume that Alex Iwobi will switch sides from his normal position.
Another change for the Gunners is at left back with Gibbs coming in to replace Monreal. The biggest surprise for me is that Aaron Ramsey keeps his place after a pretty poor game at Old Trafford, with Xhaka and Elneny on the bench and Coquelin to protect the back four.
Ospina
Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs
Coquelin, Ramsey
Alexis, Ozil, Iwobi
Giroud
Subs: Cech, Monreal, Gabriel, Xhaka, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott
The PSG side is much as expected with Cavani leading the attack and Lucas Moura offering a threat but they are without the dangerous Di Maria so that helps. With Matuidi, Verratti and Motta all starting, though, it looks like they will try to stifle our fluency and keep the ball. Can Arsenal’s attack break them down and secure top spot? Course we can. COYG!
Bob.