At the Emirates: Arsenal, PSG fight for top spot

Both sides level on points in Group A with two matches to go

LONDON: Arsenal have a gilt-edged opportunity to kick a self-destructive Champions League habit when they host Paris St-Germain today knowing victory will seal top spot in Group A.

The north Londoners have fallen in the last-16 in each of the past six seasons and during that period only once did they finish first in their initial group.

Their punishment for finishing runners-up on the other five occasions was harsh, twice being drawn against Bayern Munich and twice against Barcelona, losing all four ties, while even when fortune did favour them they succumbed to Monaco.

Even if they do beat PSG, who are level on 10 points with the Gunners, the spectre of a horror draw against Bayern or Barcelona would still exist.



Neither of those two clubs are guaranteed top spot in their respective sections and could lurk as runners-up but unless Arsene Wenger owns a crystal ball he can only assume that finishing top will be rewarded.

Ultimately, luck of the draw will play its part but an Arsenal victory would maintain the positive vibe of their campaign to date and fire out a message to their rivals.

Olivier Giroud’s late equaliser against Manchester United on Saturday means Arsenal are unbeaten in 17 matches in all competition since losing to Liverpool on the opening day of the season while PSG are on a nine-game undefeated run.

Arsenal have drawn three of their last four Premier League games and should today’s match end all square, the battle for top spot will go down to the final round of games when Arsenal travel to Basel and PSG host Ludogorets.



While Arsenal’s level has dipped in recent weeks, Wenger believes his side’s resilience will be key against PSG.

“Hopefully we can move on with some wins, we have a big game against Paris Saint-Germain and that will be the same intensity,” he said after the United draw. “I am convinced that we will be better on Wednesday [today].”

PSG warmed up with a 2-0 defeat of Nantes at the weekend although suffered an injury scare when Angel di Maria was withdrawn in the first half because of a hamstring niggle.

Coach Unai Emery later said he was confident the Argentine winger will be fit to face Arsenal.



City hunt Gladbach win on Pep’s return to Germany

Pep Guardiola takes his Manchester City side back to Germany, hunting a win at Borussia Monchengladbach to put the Citizens in the last 16 of the Champions League.

City, second in Group C behind leaders Barcelona who host Celtic, will book their place in the knockout phase with another victory over Gladbach having won the reverse fixture 4-0 when Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick in mid-September.

The 28-year-old striker revels in clashes against German clubs.

He also scored on his last visit to Borussia Park in September 2015, converting a 90th-minute penalty to earn City a 2-1 win, and netted a hat-trick in a 3-2 victory at home to Bayern Munich in November 2014.

This is the first time Guardiola has returned to Germany for a competitive game since he quit Bayern Munich in May after winning seven titles in three seasons.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2016.

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