AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Arsenal host a struggling PSG side Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium in a crucial Champions League clash for both clubs.
Arsenal host PSG Wednesday evening at the Emirates Stadium in a big time match in European soccer. Each club is already through to the knockout round, but, there is still time for one team to pull ahead in the group standings.
The Gunners have scored 12 goals in four Champions League games, allowing just three, while PSG has scored nine in four, allowing three goals as well. During the opening round of group play, the two powerhouse clubs fought to a 1-1 draw back on September 13th.
PSG scored immediately thanks to Edison Cavani, then in the 78th minute, Alexis Sánchez bagged the leveling goal. Each team also played with 10-men for a short time during the match. While this result leaves some to believe there is no way to separate the two clubs, much has occurred since that early fall clash.
The French power club is struggling a bit in League 1 play, sitting in third behind Nice and Monaco. Meanwhile, Arsenal is holding tight in the Premier League with their traditional fourth place standing but sit only three points out of first place. English soccer fans have a lot of excitement waiting for them down the stretch, but, that is an article for another time.
Arsenal is in the driver seat leading up to this match. Here are five reasons why the Gunners will prevail Wednesday against PSG in Champions League play.
WhoScored.com’s system. Making him the second highest-ranked player for Arsenal, only behind Chile International Alexis Sánchez who average an 8.35 match rating.</p>
<p>With several notable players being out injured for this titan clash, Ozil will hold the keys to the Arsenal offense. Ozil is by far the most creative and fluid player in the Gunners rotation, making it an obvious choice that he run a majority of the offense Wednesday evening.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/23/5-reasons-arsenal-will-beat-psg/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. No Nose </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3. No Zlatan to worry about</h2>
<p>Let’s face it, any team that does not have the added pressure of worrying about Zlatan Ibrahimovic running ramped through their defense makes everyone sleep better at night. Zlatan made his move from PSG to Manchester United after the end of a four season stint in France.</p>
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<p>One major reason behind critics not being satisfied with PSG’s play in 2016 is due to the lack of goals being scored. When Zlatan ruled France, he scored 113 goals in League 1 play alone over his four seasons. Taking that amount of production away from a team would leave most clubs struggling to find consistent answers.</p>
<p>Arsenal is dealing with Zlatan on a regular basis in the Premier League, however, not having to deal with him Wednesday night is another small prayer answered for fans, players, and coaches. The Swedish giant has scored 20 goals in Champions League play over the past four seasons, another big reason the Gunners can breathe easy about Zlatan Wednesday evening.</p>
<p>PSG’s goals this season have come largely from Cavani, who leads the club with 11 goals in all competitions in 11 games.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2. Key Injuries: Angel Di Maria headlines injuries for PSG</h2>
<p>When PSG lines up on Wednesday night, the latest word is that star winger Angel Di Maria won’t be on the field due to injury. Joining the injury train are Javier Pastore, Adrien Rabiot, Serge Aurier, Alphonse Areola, and Layvin Kurzawa. Di Maria and Pastore headline the group, along with the good play of Rabiot.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Arsenal has their own injury issues, including Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker, Hector Bellerin, and likely misses from Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott. The recent swing of great attacking play from Walcott has powered Arsenal to success the past few matches. The combination of Ozil and Walcott running the offense made for beautiful soccer at The Emirates.</p>
<p>Di Maria leads the club with five assists, so, his absence leaves PSG looking to Maxwell and Jean-Kevin Augustin to lead the pack with ball distribution. Say what you will about his inconsistent play at times, Di Maria is still capable of making the major difference in a match.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>1. Arsene Wenger: The Boss runs this town</h2>
<p>There is not one manager more consistent and capable of making big decisions in big games than Arsene Wenger. His 20+ years in the Premier League, mixed in with his European Competition success make him one manager many aspire to be.</p>
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<p>A man who loves his 4-4-2, but more recently worked in his 4-2-3-1 due to Arsenal lacking a true 1-2 punch at the forward position. Who can really blame him, though, Arsenal holds an abundance of midfielder talent like Sánchez, Ozil, Walcott, Ramsey and more.</p>
<p>If Arsenal can bring several of their injured players back into the lineup in the coming weeks, this Gunners side has what it takes to make a big splash in Champions League play. A win against PSG would give the final step in confidence the club needs to make a deep push and match up against the Barcelona and Real Madrid’s of the world.</p>
<p><strong>Match Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 PSG</strong></p>
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