Arsenal will hope to pick up their first win of the new Champions League campaign tonight as they host Paris Saint-Germain, live on talkSPORT.
The Gunners were held to a drab goalless draw away at Atalanta in their opening game of UEFA’s new league phase while PSG won 1-0 against Girona.
Arsenal drew 0-0 away at Atalanta with David Raya saving a penaltyGetty
Mikel Arteta now faces one of his former clubs looking to climb up the table and continue their impressive unbeaten run that stretches back to April.
The last time Arsenal lost a competitive game was when they were knocked out of this competition by Bayern Munich in last season’s quarter-finals.
It means PSG face a very tough task to come to the Emirates and leave with three points.
Life without Kylian Mbappe is going well though, with the French giants not losing so far this campaign, scoring a whopping 20 goals in six Ligue 1 games.
Arsenal vs PSG: One of three
Arteta represented both Arsenal and PSG in the Champions League as a player.
He is one of only three players who have managed that alongside ex-Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka and former Real Madrid man Lassana Diarra.
The Spaniard played four games in UEFA’s top-tier competition for PSG and also played another 23 for the Gunners later in his career.
So it means he is part of an exclusive group and he’ll be facing his old club this week.
Arteta spent a season at the French side on loan from Barcelona in 2001/02 and made 53 appearances for the club, scoring five and assisting five more.
He spent a lot longer at Arsenal where he played 150 games, and he will lead them into what should be an incredible clash.
Arteta is coming up against his former club at the EmiratesGetty
Arsenal are unbeaten in their previous four meetings with Paris SG in European competition (W1 D3). Indeed, the French side have played more games against the Gunners without winning (4) than against any other opponent in European competition.
Paris SG have lost each of their last three away games against English sides in the UEFA Champions League, losing twice to Manchester City (both in 2021). and once to Newcastle last season. Their 1-4 defeat at St. James’ Park last term was their heaviest away defeat to an English opponent in European competition.
Arsenal vs PSG: Team news
Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White are in contention to feature for Arsenal.
There were injury fears surrounding Calafiori after Saturday’s 4-2 win over Leicester after the Italian was spotted wearing a knee support post-match.
However, Arteta has said he could play in this game while it is the same case for White, who was not in the squad last time out.
Elsewhere, David Raya should be fit after overcoming a knock last time out but captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined.
Summer signing Mikel Merino has returned to training ahead of the game and is set to be part of the squad.
As for PSG, Ousmane Dembele has not been included in their travelling squad after a bust-up with his manager.
Dembele and Enrique are said to have clashed following their recent win over Rennes, with the boss axing the Frenchman from the squad on Monday.
Goncalo Ramos, Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Hernandez are all out too while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is a doubt.
Dembele will play no part against Arsenal in north LondonGetty
The last Paris SG player to score in the UEFA Champions League was Kylian Mbappé on April 16th (v Barcelona), with the French side attempting 71 shots without scoring in the competition since then. Indeed, they’ve only landed 14 of those 71 shots on target, but have hit the woodwork on four occasions.
Bukayo Saka has been directly involved in seven goals in five UEFA Champions League appearances at the Emirates Stadium (four goals and three assists). Indeed, this is the most combined goals and assists by an Arsenal player through his first five home matches in the competition.
Arsenal vs PSG: What has been said?
Arteta is expecting a very tough clash against PSG tonight.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday morning, he said: “They are really tough. They dominate every phase of play.
“They have very clear intentions. When they don’t have the ball they want it straight back and they confront you.
“That’s Luis [Enrique]. Anywhere he is, he plays the same context.”
He added on the PSG boss: “One word is honesty. He’s straightforward.
“He looks in your eyes and tells you what he thinks. I think players appreciate that.
“When someone can make you feel like that that’s a great thing.”
Arteta has spoken very highly of PSG boss EnriqueGetty
Arsenal’s previous home game against a French side in the UEFA Champions League was a 6-0 victory over Lens in last season’s group stage. The Gunners were 4-0 up after 27 minutes in that game, while it remains the biggest ever win by an English team over a French opponent in European competition.
Mikel Arteta will be the sixth different Spanish manager that Luis Enrique has faced in the UEFA Champions League. The current Paris SG boss has won five of his last six such matches (L1), and beaten each of the previous five Spaniards he’s faced in the competition at least once (Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery, Xavi, Imanol Alguacil and Míchel).
Arsenal vs PSG: talkSPORT coverage
This Champions League clash will take place on Tuesday, October 1.
Kick-off at the Emirates is scheduled for 8pm.
talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England striker Darren Bent.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
talkSPORT.com will also have you covered in our dedicated Champions League live blog.
