We’re backing Arsenal to overcome Paris Saint-Germain, but can they meet those expectations in this Champions League clash? Check out our Arsenal vs PSG prediction and preview ahead of the game.
Arsenal vs PSG: Preview
Arsenal will look to jump-start their UEFA Champions League campaign on Tuesday as they host Paris Saint-Germain in a highly anticipated clash, following a disappointing draw on Matchday 1.
Mikel Arteta’s side struggled in their goalless draw against Atalanta, managing a modest 0.78 expected goals from just six attempts in Bergamo. They also had to rely on goalkeeper David Raya’s heroics to secure a point.
Raya saved a penalty from Mateo Retegui and followed up with a stunning save on the rebound, becoming only the fourth Arsenal keeper to deny a spot-kick in the competition.
The Gunners recorded just nine touches in the opposition’s box during that match—their lowest in a Champions League game since March 2014 (also nine, against Bayern Munich). Similarly, their six attempts marked the fewest in a Champions League away fixture in a decade, since they managed only five against Borussia Dortmund in September 2014.
However, Arsenal return to home soil this week for one of their toughest challenges of the 2024-25 group stage.
PSG, one of the two Pot 1 teams drawn alongside Arsenal (the other being Inter), are set to pose a serious challenge at the Emirates Stadium.
Though PSG managed only a 1-0 victory against tournament newcomers Girona on Matchday 1, the match was entirely one-sided. Luis Enrique’s men dominated possession with 64% and registered 26 shots compared to Girona’s three. The only Matchday 1 game with a bigger shot disparity was Bayern Munich’s 9-2 demolition of Dinamo Zagreb (29-4).
Despite their dominance, PSG barely scraped the win. A 90th-minute own goal from Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga proved decisive, with Nuno Mendes’ deflected low cross slipping through his grasp into the net.
This marked the latest game-winning own goal in Champions League history and highlighted PSG’s scoring woes, as they’ve now gone 71 shots in the competition without one of their own players finding the back of the net—Kylian Mbappé’s strike against Barcelona in April being the last.
Still, PSG will be relieved to have secured a win, particularly given their tough schedule in this group stage. Considered to have the hardest fixture list when the draw was made, PSG’s upcoming clashes are against Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Manchester City following their duel with Arsenal.
Returning to the topic of Arsenal’s scoring struggles, if they fail to find the net on Wednesday, it will mark the first time in their history they’ve gone three consecutive European Cup/Champions League games without scoring.
If Arsenal can turn things around, Bukayo Saka will likely play a pivotal role. Saka has been directly involved in seven goals across five Champions League home games (four goals, three assists), the most by any male Arsenal player in their first five home matches in the competition.
Though not officially credited with an assist, Saka’s corner set up Leandro Trossard’s second goal (and Arsenal’s third) in their 4-2 win over Leicester City. Arsenal’s strength from set-pieces, thanks to the consistent delivery from Saka and Declan Rice, has been key to their attacking threat.
That victory against Leicester was a much-needed boost for Mikel Arteta, whose side fell short of expectations against Atalanta and saw a hard-earned away win against Manchester City slip away in the final minute.
Meanwhile, PSG remain unbeaten in Ligue 1 after six matches, winning five of them. Bradley Barcola has been in excellent form, scoring twice in PSG’s 3-1 win over Rennes, bringing his tally to six goals in six games—two more than he managed throughout last season. The 22-year-old will be a major threat to Arsenal.
Ousmane Dembélé, who has seven goal involvements (four goals, three assists) in seven games this season for PSG, will miss the clash after being left out of Luis Enrique’s traveling squad.
Arsenal vs PSG: Head-to-Head
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last four encounters with PSG in European competition (W1 D3). In fact, PSG have faced the Gunners more times without securing a win (4) than any other opponent in Europe.
Additionally, PSG have lost their last three away matches against English sides in the UEFA Champions League, with two defeats to Manchester City (both in 2021) and one to Newcastle last season. Their 4-1 loss at St. James’ Park during the 2023-24 season stands as their heaviest away defeat to an English team in European competition.
Arsenal’s most recent home game against a French team in the Champions League resulted in a commanding 6-0 win over Lens in last season’s group stage. The Gunners were already 4-0 up by the 27th minute, and that victory remains the largest ever by an English side over a French team in European competition.
Luis Enrique will face Mikel Arteta as the sixth different Spanish manager he’s encountered in the UEFA Champions League. Enrique has won five of his last six matches against Spanish managers (L1) and has beaten each of the previous five at least once, including Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery, Xavi, Imanol Alguacil, and Míchel.
Arsenal vs PSG: Team News
Arsenal
Arsenal will once again be without Ben White for tonight’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
White has been sidelined for the past two games due to a groin injury and did not participate in training on Monday. As a result, Jurrien Timber is expected to continue at right-back, while Riccardo Calafiori will likely feature on the opposite side.
There were concerns that Calafiori might miss out after appearing to tweak his hamstring in the closing minutes of Saturday’s victory over Leicester, but he was back in training on Monday.
Mikel Arteta may opt for an unchanged lineup for the PSG match at Emirates Stadium, although Gabriel Jesus could feature after starting Arsenal’s last Champions League game against Atalanta.
Arsenal will also be without captain Martin Odegaard, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Additionally, Oleksandr Zinchenko is out with a calf issue, and Kieran Tierney is unavailable due to a hamstring injury.
Young goalkeeper Tommy Setford is nursing a hip injury, meaning 16-year-old Jack Porter could make the bench.
Arsenal: Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper – Raya
- Defenders – Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
- Midfielders – Havertz, Partey, Rice
- Forwards – Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
PSG
PSG have excluded Ousmane Dembele from their squad for disciplinary reasons, manager Luis Enrique confirmed ahead of the game.
“If someone doesn’t meet the team’s standards, it means they are not ready,” Enrique stated on Monday. “With such an important week and a crucial game ahead, we need every player to be fully committed. My priority is what’s best for the team, and that’s why I made this decision.”
In addition to Dembele’s absence, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, and Goncalo Ramos are out due to injuries, along with Gianluigi Donnarumma. Nuno Mendes is hopeful to return from illness.
PSG: Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper – Donnarumma
- Defenders – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes
- Midfielders – Warren Zaïre-Emery, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz
- Forwards – Marco Asensio, Randal Kolo Muani, Bradley Barcola
Arsenal vs PSG: Prediction
This is certainly one of the tougher matches Arsenal have been drawn, but it’s hard to imagine them losing at home, especially against a PSG side dealing with multiple injuries.
The Gunners’ defense will have to contend with the threat of Bradley Barcola, but PSG’s lack of a true striker makes the challenge more manageable for the hosts.
Prediction: Arsenal to win 2-1.
Where and Where to Watch the Match? Streaming Details and Live Broadcast
The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 match between Arsenal and PSG will be broadcast live in India on Sony Sports Network. The match is scheduled to Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 12:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Viewers in India can watch the match live from Emirates Stadium. Additionally, for those who prefer online streaming, the match will be available for live streaming on the SonyLIV App.
Read More: Arsenal and Real Madrid Battle for 18 Year Old Brazilian Defender Vitor Reis
When is Arsenal vs PSG?
Arsenal face PSG at home from 12:30 am (IST) onwards on October 2.
