Stakes, curse, life without Dembélé… Five questions before the shock

PSG is climbing the towers. After a far-fetched and almost miraculous success against the Spaniards of Girona (1-0), Luis Enrique’s players challenge Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this Tuesday (9 p.m.), during the second day of the Champions League. A match broadcast on Canal+ and which will be followed live with commentary on our site, as usual.

A match that counts double?

In any case, it is a life-size test for Paris-SG, exciting during the first weeks of the season, less afterwards, and whose true level is still difficult to determine. A PSG which however reassured itself against Rennes (3-1) on Friday. At least if we forget the last quarter of an hour of the game.

SEE ALSO – The goals and summary of PSG-Rennes on September 27 (3-1)

This duel between two contenders for the Top 8 will not answer all the questions and will not provide absolute certainty for the end of the season, but it will nevertheless allow us to find out more. Ligue 1 matches do not allow us to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of the Parisians… For the Gunners, difficult winners over Leicester (4-2) last weekend, there is no time to lose to take points in C1, after the 0-0 draw at Atalanta. Which Gunners are also looking for certainty, they who made it to the quarterfinals of C1 last season after seven outings in the 8th.

What history between the two clubs?

The two teams have faced each other four times so far, starting with a Cup of Cup semi-final won by the Gunners in 1994. Draw 1-1 at the Parc des Princes in the first leg, with David Ginola responding to Ian Wright’s opener, and Arsenal’s 1-0 victory at Highbury in the return, with a goal very early in the match from the man named Kevin Campbell. During this second round, the late Artur Jorge chose to do without George Weah, favoring the Brazilians Ricardo, Valdo and Rai for the three extra-community places. Eternal regrets… Especially since the future champions of France did not miss opportunities that day.

PSG and Arsenal had to wait until 2016 to meet again, in the group stage of the Champions League, with a draw at the Parc (1-1) and another at the Emirates (2-2). Edinson Cavani scored in both matches. On the return leg, Paris had the last word with Alex Iwobi’s own goal in the 77th minute. A draw which allowed Unai Emery’s men to take the lead of the group before the last day. Alas, they squandered this advantage with a 2-2 draw against Ludogorets. Second place means the round of 16 against FC Barcelona. No need to recall the rest… In the end, PSG never beat Arsenal, three draws and one defeat in four games. Curse.

Also readPSG: After Dembélé, the flood

What PSG without Ousmane Dembélé

Thunderbolt Monday morning, upon learning of the sidelining of the indispensable Ousmane Dembélé for disciplinary reasons. Indispensable on the field and impeccable off it since his arrival on the banks of the Seine. The Parisians will nevertheless have to do without him against Arsenal. Not an easy task knowing that the former Barcelona player often appears to be the most dangerous player of the Rouge et Bleu. And even sometimes the only element capable of scaring the opponent… If he is as hot as last Friday, Bradley Barcola could possibly take over, but it’s a big “if”, knowing that the ex -Lyonnais still has difficulty existing against a low block and/or a two-man hold. To see who will be chosen to replace, at least numerically, the absence of “Dembouz”. Perhaps Randal Kolo Muani or Kang-in Lee, the latter having appeared very comfortable in a role of… false 9 on Friday, against Stade Rennes. One thing is certain: Luis Enrique makes no exceptions, no preferential treatment. The team above all. The club above all. The proof with this strong choice before a shock.

Note that the Parisian coach has recorded several returns in preparation for the trip to London. All unavailable for Rennes, Gigio Donnarumma, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Désiré Doué and Marco Asensio made the trip. Let’s see if they are all able to hold their place this Tuesday evening.

Who are the players to watch on the Arsenal side?

In addition to the newcomer Mikel Merino, the Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney, Mikel Arteta will have to do without the services of the essential Martin Odegaard, injured in an ankle with Denmark. The Spanish technician nevertheless has many weapons, starting with the English arrow Bukayo Saka, scorer, disruptive and spectacular. Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are also worth watching like milk on the fire, like newcomer Raheem Sterling or Belgian Leandro Trossard. Beautiful people, with speed, percussion, technique, but little weight and no real center forward, like in Paris in fact. For the rest, we can cite the central midfielder Declan Rice or the French rock William Saliba, behind, while some wonder if David Raya is not the best goalkeeper in the Premier League at the moment. One thing is certain: the last Spanish rampart would be more suited to the game of Luis Enrique than Gigio Donnarumma.

Also readArsenal-PSG: Style, results, experience… Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique, the match within the match

Which players have worn the jersey for both teams?

There are five of them. Kaba Diawara, Nicolas Anelka, Lassana Diarra, David Luiz and a certain Mikel Arteta. Trained in Barcelona, ​​the latter took his first professional steps with PSG, on loan, at the start of 2001 and until the end of the 2001-02 season. Spotted by Luis Fernandez at Real Sociedad, the Spanish midfielder left good memories in Paris, with 53 matches played in total, five goals scored and as many assists. PSG would have liked to keep him, but did not have the means. A few years later, he joined Arsenal, his last club, for five years, from 2011 to 2016 (150 matches, 16 goals, 8 assists). Two championships and two FA Cups.

After learning from Pep Guardiola at City, the Basque began his coaching career at Arsenal, where he has been since December 2019, winning the 2020 FA Cup. Another man represents a link between both clubs, Unai Emery, coach in Paris (2016-18) then at Arsenal (2018-19). Having passed through the Parisian training center without playing for the first team, Mattéo Guendouzi wore the colors of the London club.