Tuesday night will see the return of Champions League football to the Emirates as Arsenal host Paris Saint-Germain in what is one of the key ties to be played in match-week two.
Arsenal come into the game off the back of a 0-0 draw last time out with Atalanta and a late win against Leicester City in the league at the weekend, moving themselves to within one point off top spot.
Their opponents however, won their first game in Europe 1-0 against Girona and most recently beat Rennes 3-1 in league, keeping them top of Ligue 1.
Arsenal will be looking to improve on their performance away to Atalanta where they displayed a solid defensive showing but offered little going forward. They could have even been on the end of a defeat if it wasn't for David Raya producing a superb double save following a penalty late on.
Although PSG don't boast the talent they once did with Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi they still pose a threat to the Gunners with plenty of young stars looking to make a name for themselves on the greatest stage.
PSG have lost each of their last three trips to England and have never beaten Arsenal in four previous occasions, Drawing three and losing one. Mikel Arteta will be hoping to keep this trend going and adding another win to that record on Tuesday night.
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Team News
Arsenal
Arsenal come into the game with a few players missing, including captain Martin Odegaard who is still working his way back from an ankle injury sustained while on international duty with Norway.
Arteta has said that he does not expect to see any player return from injury in the next 24/48 hours, meaning fans will have to continue waiting to see new signing Mikel Merino. The Spanish midfielder has been out with a shoulder injury he picked up in his first training session with the club after signing.
This news likely means Ben White will also be out of the game midweek as he has missed the last two matches with a knee injury.
It remains to be seen if fullback Oleksandr Zinchenko will return after picking up an injury for Ukraine, while Takehiro Tomiyasu is still sidelined as is Kieran Tierney.
Arsenal will be hoping to have positive news regarding Riccardo Calafiroi after he picked up an issue in the game against Leicester, Arteta has since said they will see how he feels and go from there.
Paris Saint-Germain
The French champions will be without one of their key players for this game as Ousmane Dembele has been dropped from Luis Enrique's matchday squad. The decision has been made by the manager after reported disciplinary reasons.
Dembele and Enrique reportedly had an argument after the Rennes game and the coach has taken the decision to axe the France international from the squad.
Enrique will also be without first-choice centre back options Lucas Hernandez who is continuing his recovery from an ACL tear, while Presnel Kimpembe is still out with an Achilles injury.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is also expected to be out with a thigh problem while Nuno Mendes has been suffering from illness.
PSG will also not be able to call upon Goncalo Ramos who is still out with an ankle problem.
One man who will be able to play his part is Bradley Barcola who has started the season on fire. The Frenchman already has six goals to his name in the league and scored two at the weekend against Rennes. Enrique will be hoping the 22-year-old continues his fine form heading into the game in North London.
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Potential Lineups
Arsenal
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiroi; Partey, Trossard, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Paris Saint-Germain
Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Beraldo; Zaire-Emery, Ruiz, Neves; Lee, Kolo Muani, Barcola
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Key Players
Arsenal - Bukayo Saka
Once known as Arsenal's "Star-boy" Bukayo Saka is now 23, captain (In absence of Odegaard) and a talisman for his side. When going forward, more often than not everything will go through the England man. Although he has only registered a single goal so far this season, he has produced five assists.
Some thought Saka's output may be effected with the injury to Odegaard considering how close the two work and the connection they have on the pitch, but Saka has instead taken the weight of the team onto his shoulders from an attacking point of view.
He will most likely be up against Lucas Beraldo in this game if Nuno Mendes doesn't return from illness and Saka will be looking to take advantage of the Brazilian in transition.
A good ball carrier and an eye for a pass the left back can cause problems for Arsenal and Saka going the other way, but he will be wary are what his opponent can do to him and may look on the eye of caution when pushing forward, knowing the threat Saka possess.
Saka will be looking to add to his four goals and four assists from his first Champions League campaign last season and what a way to get this one up and running then at a packed out Emirates Stadium.
Paris Saint-Germain: Bradley Barcola
At the beginning of the season questions were raised over who will be the star in this PSG side. Kylian Mbappe departed for Real Madrid and left a big hole in attack, someone had to fill it. Some thought it may be time for Dembele to stand up and show his quality, which he has to some extent but not to the same level as Bradly Barcola.
Barcola has already outscored himself from last campaign registering six goals in six games in the league, after only managing four across 25 games last time out.
It is to be seen who he may be up against as right back may change for Arsenal after the injury worry to Calafiori. If Ben White is back they may put Timber on the left with White covering the right side, meaning he will be up against Barcola, a battle which many will like to see.
The Frenchman's speed and directness will cause problems for Arsenal but they have already shown tremendous resilience this season when put under pressure. Barcola will find it hard to cause trouble alone but there is no doubt he has the ability to upset a few inside the Emirates on Tuesday night.
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Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The match will take place at the Emirates Stadium in North London, Arsenal's home since 2007.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off will take place at 20:00 BST on Tuesday 1 October 2024.
Where can I watch?
Coverage for the game will begin at 19:00 BST on Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
