Paris v Arsenal: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, September 12, 2016
Article summary
What are the possible line-ups? Where can you watch the game? How have both teams started this season? UEFA.com tells you all you need to know about the Group A opener between Paris and Arsenal.
Article top media content
Article body
- Paris coach Unai Emery confident despite one point from last two games
- Visitors Arsenal have won last seven fixtures on French soil
- Emery's first European fixture since taking over at Paris this summer
- Aaron Ramsey trained on Monday despite hamstring problem
- Don't forget to pick your Fantasy Football team before the deadline
Possible line-ups
Paris: Trapp; Aurier, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Maxwell; Verratti, Krychowiak, Rabiot; Di María, Cavani, Matuidi.
Out: Kurzawa (thigh)
Doubtful: Thiago Silva (hip), Aurier (ankle), Pastore (calf), Maxwell (back)
Arsenal: Čech; Bellerín, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Cazorla, Xhaka; Walcott, Özil, Alexis; Giroud.
Out: Gabriel (ankle), Mertesacker (knee), Welbeck (knee), Debuchy (calf), Jenkinson (knee)
Doubtful: Ramsey (hamstring)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Unai Emery, Paris coach
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.
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. We will see how [Thiago Silva] feels after training. There's a chance he could be involved.
Arsène Wenger, Arsenal manager
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. France always produce good teams and good players, so it's exciting for us to come to the city and compare ourselves.
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.
Koscielny's alright. He had a big knock on his face, but he's recovered well. For me, he's one of the best defenders in the world and I hope he'll prove it tomorrow.
Weekend results
Paris 1-1 St-Étienne (Lucas 67pen; Berić 90+2)
Paris were denied a third Ligue 1 victory in four games when Robert Berić scuffed in a dramatic equaliser from Kevin Malcuit's cross. Malcuit had earlier felled Blaise Matuidi to concede a 67th-minute penalty which Lucas converted.
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton (Koscielny 29, Cazorla 90+4pen; Čech og 18)
Arsenal trailed when the ball deflected in off Petr Čech after he had tipped a Dušan Tadić free-kick onto the bar. Laurent Koscielny's overhead kick and a late Santi Cazorla penalty (following a foul on Olivier Giroud) turned things around.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)*
Paris: DLWWW
Arsenal: WWDL
*This season only
Reporter's view: Chris Burke (@UEFAcomChrisB)
This is the match where Paris fans will be hoping Emery can start living up to his reputation. The former Sevilla coach joined this summer after three consecutive UEFA Europa League titles, a sparkling record that suggested he is the man to take Paris to the next level in Europe. Recent Ligue 1 outings have not gone well, and the French champions are still adapting to life post-Zlatan Ibrahimović, but this alluring fixture ought to give an early indication of their potential – while having a major say in who finishes top of Group A.
Did you know?
These teams have met competitively only once before – who came out on top? Read more in our extensive match background.