Arsenal host PSG in the Champions League in what is a Group A decider at the Emirates with the teams currently tied on 10 points.
With their place in the knockout stages confirmed, Arsene Wenger hopes his players can go all the way and finish top. “I believe that the two teams have done the job until now,” he said. “We have done what was expected and we have done it away from home, now we can finish the job at home.” Arsenal have often lost their round of 16 fixtures due to not winning their group and it will be imperative that they get it right this time round. The draw against United was Arsenals 11th game without defeat in all competitions and they’ll be hoping to continue that run. Olivier Giroud who scored in the United draw will be hoping for more of a starring role and has added incentive to do well after he saw red in Paris.
PSG are in good form coming into this one and are unbeaten in their last nine competitive matches, winning eight. Should they wish to continue that run, they will have to do it without Adrien Rabiot who is ruled out while Serge Aurier has been barred from entering England. Compounding the absences are Di Maria, Areola, Kurzawa who are doubts while Pastore didn’t travel with the team. Coach Unai Emery will be hoping the team can cope without his star players and improve on the first leg result. “It’s a game with big actors, great football players, this is the beauty of it,” he said. “We played a good first game and we could have won it. There are things that we will change from then, mainly because we are a better team now.”
The bookies have Arsenal win odds at 2.77 and PSG at 2.20 while a draw is stated at odds of 3.51. PSG have won only 1 of their 8 away games against English opposition and have not kept a clean sheet against English sides in their last 9 games. Our view though is that a draw is the most likely result. Arsenal haven’t been in top form lately and PSG have a few injury problems. Both teams are already through to the next round and don’t need to take unnecessary risks.