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Arsenal need to get at least a draw on Wednesday night to keep their hopes of topping their Champions League group alive. The Gunners have performed well in Europe so far this season, picking up a draw in Paris and then maximum points since. The problem for Arsenal is that PSG are also yet to encounter any hiccups since that opening match day. Now Arsenal need either a 0-0/1-1 draw or a win to ensure they stay top of the group heading into the final match day where they travel to FC Basel.
The Gunners haven’t topped their group for some time now and it will be important for them to change that this time around if they hope to go past the last 16 of the competition, a hurdle where they normally fall.
Goalkeeper: David Ospina
I think we know that Ospina will start this game and quite rightly. Arsene Wenger has put faith in the Colombian in Europe and it has paid off so far. He
Defence: Carl Jenkinson, Skhodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs
There was a lot of worry about Jenkinson going into the game at Old Trafford but he did OK and didn’t stand out as a weak point as many expected him too. I am sure he will keep his place on Wednesday night. Mustafi and Koscielny continue to grow with every game and they must start at the heart of the defence. At left back I’d bring in Gibbs to show Monreal once again that his place is not safe. The Spaniard hasn’t been at his best this season and I think Gibbs deserves a chance in a big game.
Central Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin
I think in Cazorla’s absence it is essential that Xhaka starts, especially when Coquelin is the other deep lying midfielder. Arsenal need a midfielder at the heart of the game that can pass both long and short. Arsenal spent a lot of money on Xhaka and he performed very well against Spurs but was weirdly left out at Old Trafford. He simply must start this game.
Attacking Midfield: Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi / Alexis Sanchez
Alexis didn’t look 100% against United and I think if there is any doubt over his fitness he shouldn’t start this game. If that is the case then the fresh Iwobi should come in on the left. Elsewhere I think it is important that experienced pair Walcott and Ozil start the game, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being used as an impact substitute if needed.
Attack: Olivier Giroud
Giroud needs to be rewarded with a start in this game. He was clearly annoyed that he was on the bench again against Manchester United and he seemed pretty smug when he headed in the equaliser. He’s in a rich vein of form at the moment where everything he is touching goes in. He needs to show that when he starts he can perform at the same level though. He has a decent record in big games in the Champions League, having scored against the likes of Bayern Munich in the past. A winner against PSG would ultimately prove himself to be amongst the best.
