Perhaps the biggest test of Arsenal’s Champions League stage comes on Tuesday night when they take on Paris Saint-Germain in north London.
The Gunners picked up a respectable point in Atalanta matchday 1 in a match without highlights. Arsenal’s subpar quality in possession meant they failed to create much of substance, but a strong defensive display and David Raya’s double save heroics saw them escape Bergamo with a goalless draw.
Mikel Arteta’s side remain unbeaten in all competitions despite the Spaniard having to deal with a series of injuries. They head into this game off the back of a dramatic Victory by 4-2 over Leicester on Saturday, but the Arsenal manager is unlikely to make too many changes to his starting eleven for the visit of PSG.
Here’s how arsenal might line up tuesday night.
GK: David Raya – The Spaniard was Arsenal’s star on matchday 1 as he ensured the Gunners equalized against Atalanta by expertly denying Mateo Retegui’s penalty and subsequent rebound.
RB: Ben White – White are out of work if he wants to return to the XI given the performances of Arsenal’s full-backs on Saturday, but an injury concern could force the Englishman back into the fold.
CB: William Saliba – The France international will be up against some familiar faces on Tuesday night, with Bradley Barcola and Randal Kolo Muani potentially starting in the visitors’ front row.
CB: Gabriel – Surely, it won’t be long until Gabriel opens his Champions League account for the season given the Brazilian’s dominance from set pieces in the Premier League.
LB: Jurrien Timber – Riccardo Calafiori’s knee injury is not a major concernbut Arteta may not risk the Italian on Tuesday because of the quick turnaround. PSG’s ability in wide areas makes Timber’s inclusion a necessity.
CM: Jorginho – Thomas Partey is not a reliable operator at the base of midfield, and while there is always the fear that Jorginho will be hopelessly overrun, the Italian will at least establish a sense of calm and control.
CM: Declan Rice – The Englishman’s standout performance this season came in the Carabao Cup against third-tier Bolton. It’s been a slow start, but he’s never too far away from producing a dominant display on the big stage.
CM: Kai Havertz – Havertz inadvertently added to his goal tally at the weekend, with the German bagging Arsenal’s fourth in their last-gasp win over the Foxes. Havertz is Arteta’s utility man and could be used to physically overwhelm a bit PSG midfield on Tuesday.
RW: Bukayo So… The Arsenal star continued his Premier League assist streak at the death on Saturday, with Saka emerging as one of the division’s most reliable players. His duel with Nuno Mendes on Tuesday will be fantastic to watch.
ST: Leandro Trossard – Trossard scored four goals in nine Champions League appearances last season, and will be looking to get the ball rolling against the French champions on Tuesday night. He comes into the game having scored and played a big part in the go-ahead goal at the weekend.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – Was this the goal Martinelli desperately needed to ignite a scoring spree? The Brazilian saved his best work for European nights last season and scored his first Premier League goal since March on Saturday.
