After 22 years, French giants PSG and Premier League giants Arsenal go head-to-head in an European competition. The sides clash swords on Tuesday at the Parc des Prices in Paris in their UEFA Champions League 2016-17 group game.
The Gunners are grouped alongside Unai Emery's side as well as Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad in Group A of the tournament this season.
The match will be special for both teams as decorated Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger makes a return to Paris, the place he was born in, and the fans too would get a glimpse of one of the greatest football coaches ever from Paris. "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," said Wenger.
"France always produce good teams and good players, so it's exciting for us to come to the city and compare ourselves."
Coming to the match, the Gunners have no fresh injury worries, apart from the likes of Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker, Gabriel and Aaron Ramsey, who are already sidelined. PSG, too, will be a bit relieved after the likes of skipper Thiago Motta, Javier Pastore, left back Maxwell and Serge Aurier were included in the squad for the match.
PSG forward Hatem Ben Arfa is however not a part of the squad, possibly for technical reasons, according to reports. Left back Layvin Kurzawa will also miss out on the game owing to a thigh strain.
"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," continued Wenger.
While the Gunners have won their previous two league games, PSG have not. Emery's men will now be expected to put their all in to get a favourable result. "I expect a tough game, a different contest to our game at the weekend, because Arsenal have a different formation and brand of football. The team look good to me, although we haven't won our last two league matches," said Emery.
"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."
Expected starting XI
PSG: Trapp; Meunier, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Kimpembe; Verratti, Thiago Motta, Matuidi; Lucas, Cavani, Di MarÃa.
Arsenal: ÄŒech; BellerÃn, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Cazorla, Xhaka; Walcott, Özil, Alexis; Giroud.
Schedule
PSG vs Arsenal is scheduled to kick off at 12:15 a.m. IST [Wednesday] (7:45 p.m. BST, 2:45 p.m. EST) on Sept. 13.
How to watch
India: TV: Ten 2. Live streaming: ten sports live.
UK: TV: BT Sport 2. Live streaming: BT Sport live.
USA: TV: Fox Sports 2. Live streaming: Fox Sports Go.
France: TV: beIN Sports 2
