By Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, two European footballing powerhouses still in search of their first Champions League title, are set to face off Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium in a highly anticipated group stage match.
Both teams enter the game with mixed results from their opening fixtures. Arsenal salvaged a point in a goalless draw against Atalanta, while PSG narrowly defeated Girona 1-0 thanks to a late own goal.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces several injury concerns ahead of the match. Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Kieran Tierney are among the key players sidelined. Ben White’s fitness remains uncertain after missing the last two matches due to a knee issue.
“We’re monitoring Ben’s situation closely,” Arteta said in a pre-match press conference. “We’ll make a decision on his availability closer to kick-off.”
PSG, under the guidance of Luis Enrique, also grapples with injuries. Goncalo Ramos, Lucas Hernandez, and Presnel Kimpembe are long-term absentees. However, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and defender Nuno Mendes have returned to the squad.
The match marks the first meeting between the two sides since the 2016-17 Champions League group stage, where both encounters ended in draws.
Arsenal’s recent form has been strong, with the team undefeated this season and scoring 11 goals in their last three matches across all competitions. Bukayo Saka has been particularly impressive, contributing to seven goals in five Champions League games at the Emirates.
PSG, leading Ligue 1 on goal difference, aims to improve their recent record against English opposition in the Champions League. They have lost their last three away matches to English teams in the competition.
“We respect Arsenal, but we’re here to compete and get a positive result,” Enrique stated. “Our team has shown great character in recent matches, and we’ll need that same spirit at the Emirates.”
The match kicks off at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
