Giroud could be the difference against PSG

Match Preview: PSG vs Arsenal - Champions League - 13/9/2016

The dust has barely settled on our last gasp win against Southampton and we're already primed for another match. Arsenal have made their way to Paris to play PSG in their first Champions League game of the season.

PSG sans Zlatan Ibrahimovic are a completely different beast to the team that swept to the Ligue 1 title last season. They also have a new manager, Unai Emery, who will seek to impose his own style and with so few games played it's hard to second guess what to expect. 

Arsenal will be buoyed by the news that Laurent Koscielny has recovered from his facial injury and should start in Paris. Key players like Xhaka and Giroud were rested for the win over Southampton, no doubt with this match in mind, so there will certainly be some changes from Saturday. Starting Lucas at the weekend was a shrewd move for more reason than the obvious one of introducing him to the league. History has proven that Giroud performs to his potential when he perceives a threat to his position as undisputed starting striker for Arsenal.

Pérez didn't set the world on fire with his debut performance but it would be wrong to be criticial in the slightest. He showed good touch and movement, as well as providing a crucial assist, in a game where he received little service. Plus ça change for our new signing from Deportivo La Coruna. Lucas managed to score 17 goals in a team that didn't create much last season so he's expected to do better in a creative side. Our expectations should be tempered for the immediate future whilst he adapts but when he does find his feet we should have a beneficial battle on our hands.

This is Arsenal's 19th consecutive season in the Champions League and we start it with the toughest away game in the group. Usually that would mean, irrespective of the result, the rest of the matches will be a downhill stroll but this is Arsenal and they always find a way to make things difficult for themselves. Fingers crossed this is the season we break the cycle.

Previous Meetings

Arsenal and PSG have played in friendly matches in recent years but this will be their first competitive duel in over 22 years.

• PSG 1-1 Arsenal 29.03.1994
• Arsenal 1-0 PSG 12.04.1994

FACTFILE

• Arsenal are unbeaten in 9 away matches
• Paris Saint-Germain last met Arsenal in the 1993/94 Cup Winners Cup semi-finals, when the Gunners won 2-1 on aggregate
• Arsenal are unbeaten in their 12 away games against French clubs in European competition, including winning their last seven

INJURIES

Ramsey is training again but is not considered fit enough to join the squad for this match.

Potential STARTING XI

Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Xhaka, Cazorla, Walcott, Özil, Alexis, Giroud.

GOONERSPHERE PREDICTION

PSG 1-2 Arsenal

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