Prediction: Arsenal vs PSG

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

In what looks set to be a heavyweight Champions League showdown on Tuesday night, Arsenal will welcome PSG to the Emirates.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, snatching what was a dramatic 4-2 victory at home against Leicester over the weekend, Arsenal will be seeking a far more routine performance here. While the Gunners might have been disappointed earlier in the month as they opened their Champions League adventure with a 0-0 stalemate away at Italian outfit Atalanta, Mikel Arteta’s men have continued to impress this season. Looking to get their hands on a first Premier League title since 2004, the English giants are also regarded as a genuine European contender this season. Not suffering a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign, Arsenal will now be hoping to find some recent defensive resolve. Including an action-packed 2-2 stalemate away at title rivals Manchester City on September 22nd, the Gunners have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their previous three domestic showdowns.

Team News

Still dealing with an ankle issue that he picked up while away with Norway over September’s international international break, Arsenal will once again be without skipper Martin Odegaard on Tuesday night. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance since completing a summer move from Real Sociedad, Mikel Merino remains on the sidelines.

Finding the net against Leicester over the weekend and recording three Premier League strikes this season, Germany international Kai Havertz will be deployed in a false nine role. Despite reportedly dealing with a minor knock last week, David Raya will start between the sticks in north London.

PSG

As for the visitors, desperate to get their hands on a maiden Champions League crown this year, PSG are certainly in the midst of a real purple patch. Continuing to shine under the guidance of Luis Enrique this season, the French icons have collected 16 points from their fist six Ligue 1 appearances and they are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender to make more domestic history. Likewise, getting their European adventure underway with a rugged 1-0 victory against Spanish debutants Girona on September 18th, the former Barcelona boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Heading into September’s international break with a 3-1 victory away at Lille, PSG have certainly impressed with their clinical performances in the final third. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they secured another routine 3-1 win against Rennes, Enrique’s side should be excited by a trip to north London on Tuesday night.

Team News

While number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma might be inching towards a return, the Italian skipper is not expected to feature at the Emirates on Tuesday night. Likewise, juggling what has quickly become a stacked injury list in the French capital, Enrique’s side will also be unable to call upon the likes of Goncalo Ramos, Lucas Hernandez, Desire Doue and former Real Madrid ace Marco Asensio.

Bagging a brace against Rennes over the weekend and now registering seven goals for club and country so far this season, the red-hot Bradley Barcola will play a leading role in the final third. Settling for a spot on the bench on Friday night, Randal Kolo Muani could be handed a full recall here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Arsenal and PSG last met in Champions League action back in November 2016, Tuesday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate in north London.
• The Gunners have suffered just a single competitive defeat at the Emirates so far this calendar year.
• Arsenal have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their previous three domestic appearances across all competitions.
• PSG have registered 20 goals in just their opening six Ligue 1 appearances so far this season.
• Bradley Barcola has registered seven goals for club and country so far this season.

Conclusion

In what is rightfully billed as a heavyweight European showdown on Tuesday night, we could be treated to a pulsating affair from north London. With Arsenal failing to record a clean sheet from any of their previous three domestic matchups across all competitions, the Gunners should face a stern examination here. With PSG picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they secured a 3-1 win against Rennes, the French heavyweights have continued to shine with their clinical performances in the final third.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster