Arsenal will travel to Paris for their first group game of this season’s Champions League to face opponents PSG. The Gunners have won two consecutive games in the Premier League and would hope to start off with a win against their main rivals in the group. Against Southampton on Saturday, Arsene Wenger rested some of his players with this particular fixture in mind so the Gunners would hope to put that to good use and upset PSG in their own backyard. Let’s take a look at the possible first eleven which might take to the field at the Parc des Princes.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
No doubts about this one as veteran custodian Petr Cech would be under the bar yet again in the Champions League, Cech’s experience will be vital on the night.
Right Back
Hector Bellerin has cemented his place as the first choice at the moment and he will be starting on the right hand side to provide the width in the attack as well as the defensive stability needed in his position.
Central Defender
New signing Shkodran Mustafi is likely to feature for the first time in the Champions League for his new club in the match as he will be looking to contain PSG’s attacking threats.
Central Defender
Arsenal’s defensive talisman Laurent Koscielny will be partnering Mustafi in the heart of the defence. Koscielny will again be one of the key players for his team on the pitch as Wenger would hope to get the leadership from the France international once again in his defence.
Left back
Mr. Dependable Nacho Monreal is likely to start the match against the Ligue 1 winners. Monreal would need to be on top of his game to influence the match in both the attack and the defence.
Defensive Midfielder
After being rested on Saturday in the Premier League game, Granit Xhaka will feature against PSG in the match and will look to shield the back four as well as providing another option to build up the attack from the deep positions.
Defensive Midfielder
Santi Cazorla should be partnering Xhaka in the double pivot after his man of the match display against Southampton. Cazorla will be used as a deep lying playmaker while providing support to Xhaka in the defensive phase.
Right Winger/Midfielder
Theo Walcott will feature on the wide right hand channel and would look to get involved in the game more than what he did on Saturday against Southampton.
Attacking Midfielder/Playmaker
Mesut Ozil is likely to feature in his familiar role and position of an attacking midfielder just in behind the striker, trying to thread the inch perfect passes which will unlock the opposition’s defence.
Left Winger/Midfielder
Alexs Sanchez was another player rested on Saturday, he did came on in the second half though and is likely to feature from the start against PSG.
Striker
Olivier Giroud didn’t start against Southampton, Arsene Wenger wants him fully fit and rested for the important match in the Champions League as he will the focal point of the visitor’s attack and will engage the likes of Marquinhos and create the space for the others to exploit during the attacking phase.
