PSG v Arsenal Preview, Line-up and Score Prediction

Arsenal are in the French capital of Paris today as they prepare to take on Paris Saint-Germain in their opening Champions League group game.

We have had doubts over the fitness of Laurent Koscielny, but Arsene Wenger appeared to reveal that he would be able to feature tonight, which will be a huge boost to have our August Vitality Player of the Month available.

Shkodran Mustafi is now expected to to start alongside the French defender as they look to build on their new partnership, and they will have their hands full with Edinson Cavani needed to be kept at bay.

Granit Xhaka is likely to be given the tough job at the base of the midfield, with one of either Santi Cazorla or Mohamed Elneny, with the latter likely if Wenger is keen to centre on the counter attack.

The Gunners come into the match on the back of successive wins, while their opponents come into the match with successive failures to win, but we still remain as the outsiders to pick up a win.

Arsenal are around about 3/1 to take the three points back to London from tonight’s game, which looks value considering their opponents are currently getting used to life under new manager Unai Emery, and have failed to win either of their last two in the league.

We come into the match on the back of back-to-back victories, and we are believed to have tinkered with our side in order to give ourselves a stronger chance tonight, and I think they have a great chance of coming away with a surprise win.

Expected XI:

Cech
Bellerin  Mustafi  Koscielny  Monreal
Cazorla   Xhaka
Walcott      Ozil       Alexis
Giroud

I would happily come away from Paris with a point, but their form is giving me reason to be more optimistic, and I’m predicting a 2-1 away win, with Giroud to add to his three goals he already has against PSG.

What do you think the score will be? Do you agree with my starting XI?

Pat J

21 Comments

  1. Cech
    Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny Monreal
    Cazorla Xhaka
    Ox Ozil Alexis
    Perez
    Giroud is too slow for counter attacking football …

  2. I won’t start OX in this game. Then again, you don’t know the Ox that will turn up. Having said that, I don’t think Ox will start. I expect to see Sanchez and Walcott on the flank. Will Wenger go with Perez or Giroud? I think Giroud will start. Time will tell..

  3. As always it will depend on which Arsenal turn up.
    I for one ain’t taking PSG lightly just because of their current form, missing key players in defence and new manager……. ? Oh, wait .. Wtf am I saying? ?.. this really is a golden opportunity to kick their butt and if we can’t take it then Wenger really needs to take a long hard look at himself and that zipper of his.?

    ———————————— Cech
    Bellerin ———– Mustafi ——— Koscielny ——– Monreal
    ———————- Xhaka ——– Cazorla
    ———————————- Ozil
    ————— Walcott —————— Sanchez
    ——————————— Perez

    Since their defence is a bit fragile, Wenger should stick with our pacy attacker’s and make good use of Xhaka’s eagle eye long passes, but hey! what do I know? ? ?

    I can’t wait to see Wenger’s starting lineup, after the Southampton game he stated that everyone should be patient with Lucas perez and to give him a chance before judging him. Ijust hope that wenger practices what he preaches and starts with Lucas tonight.

    1. I agree with that line up, depending on how the CM battle goes and if we get the lead to if we need to consider bringing Cazorla off later on for ElNeny who can offer fresh legs and a tough tackle to keep any lead we have.

      ElNeny isn’t afraid to shoot from distance so he could offer a different offensive threat to mix things up as well, Xhaka and Ozil will be near by and ElNeny is neat with his passing so we can hopefully keep possession almost as well as Cazorla.

      If we can get the lead then Giroud can be a good hold up man who we can clear the ball to and if he stands strong then he can give us time towards the end of the game, I feel Giroud will be fighting for his spot more if Perez keeps the starting role, when Giroud is on form he can score so he will be a threat until the last second.

  4. There’s a good chance Ospina will start this one. Xhaka better puts in a performance of his life, because Coquelin so far hasn’t done anything wrong to be dropped.

  5. If the Real Slim Arsenal turn up then we should be able to take advantage of PSG’s issues in defence and nick the 3 points.
    But if its the Shady Arsenal that Stands Up tonight, then expect plenty of this ➡? and this ? and that ➡?

  6. This being an away game, I would expect Wenger to play a counter to play a counter attacking system.

    Cech
    Bellerin ———– Mustafi ——— Koscielny ——– Gibbs

    Xhaka Coquelin

    Iwobi Ozil Sanchez
    Perez

  7. quick decisive football is the reciepe for a possible victory tonight against their makeshift defence. The same can be said of our defence though and so with the suspect form of both teams so far this term a draw is probably the favourite result but i’m willing to bet there will be goals galore and anything could happen, hopefully a win for us, my prediction PSG 3 – 4 Arsenal.

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