ANKARA
Arsenal will host Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday, as both teams look to secure a crucial win in their second group stage match.
In their Champions League opener, Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by Atalanta in Italy, with goalkeeper David Raya saving a penalty to earn the Gunners a point. PSG, meanwhile, narrowly defeated Spanish side Girona 1-0 at Parc des Princes, thanks to an own goal by Girona’s Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
Bayern Munich currently tops the Champions League group standings after a commanding 9-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb in their first match.
Arsenal and PSG have faced each other four times in European competition. The London club beat PSG 1-0 in the 1994 European Cup Winners’ Cup semifinals after a 1-1 draw in Paris. They last met in the 2016-17 Champions League group stage, with both matches ending in draws (1-1 in Paris and 2-2 in London).
Havertz and Barcola in top form
Arsenal’s German midfielder Kai Havertz, 25, has been in fine form this season, netting four goals in all competitions. His most recent strike came in Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Leicester City on Saturday, lifting the team to third place in the Premier League.
PSG’s Bradley Barcola has been equally impressive, with six goals this season, including a brace in PSG’s 3-1 victory over Rennes last Friday. The 22-year-old French forward has emerged as the top scorer for the Ligue 1 leaders. France international Ousmane Dembele has also contributed significantly, with four goals in the domestic league.
Injuries trouble Arsenal ahead of key match
Arsenal head into the match with several key players sidelined due to injuries. Norwegian star Martin Odegaard is out with an ankle injury, while new signing Mikel Merino fractured his shoulder in training, keeping him out for weeks. Defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Kieran Tierney are also unavailable.
PSG are not without their own injury concerns, as French defender Presnel Kimpembe remains sidelined with a long-term Achilles injury. Left-back Lucas Hernandez and forward Goncalo Ramos are also out of action.
The Arsenal vs. PSG clash will kick off at 1900GMT at London’s Arsenal Stadium.
Champions League matchday 2 fixtures
Tuesday:
Salzburg vs. Brest
Stuttgart vs. Sparta Prague
Inter Milan vs. Crvena Zvezda
Borussia Dortmund vs. Celtic
Barcelona vs. Young Boys
Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan
Arsenal vs. Paris Saint-Germain
PSV Eindhoven vs. Sporting Lisbon
Slovan Bratislava vs. Manchester City
Wednesday:
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Atalanta
Girona vs. Feyenoord
Liverpool vs. Bologna
RB Leipzig vs. Juventus
Benfica vs. Atletico Madrid
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Monaco
Lille vs. Real Madrid
Aston Villa vs. Bayern Munich
Sturm Graz vs. Club Brugge
