As predicted, Arsenal will model their yesterday launched third kit for the first time tonight as they face Tuchel’s PSG.
Starting Line-Up’s:
Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Elneny, Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Aubameyang
PSG: Buffon, Georgen, Rimane, Nsoki, Mbe Soh, Diarra, Berndede, Rabiot, Toufiqui, Nkunku, Weah
Leno gets another opportunity to cement his place between the woodwork for start of next season. Sokratis and Mustafi partners in defence as Matteo Guendouzi will have another go after putting up an impressive performance against Atletico Madrid. Mohamed Elneny, Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi returns for Arsenal as Aubameyang starts up-front.
Mesut Ozil has been handed the skipper armband by Unai Emery for tonight’s clash.
First Half
PSG got young faces on, but those young faces didn’t look afraid of big name Arsenal players – as they try to get in their heads, as they are pressing high and playing with high intensity before Arsenal get into the game.
Though, once Arsenal got into the game there was no looking back. They probably controlled the game for the rest of the half and it didn’t took long for them to break PSG’s defence.
Captain for the night, Mesut Ozil tapped in for Arsenal after Aubameyang hands him a perfect cross on counter attack.
Arsenal controlled rest of the half and had multiple chances which should have been converted but failed to beat the brilliant Gigi ‘the wall’ Buffon.
Second Half
Three subs for Arsenal as Leno is replaced by Martinez, Ramsey on for Elneny and Lacazette for Iwobi.
PSG started the half strongly pushing the Gunners back and making them work hard without the ball. They came near to netting the equalizer from free-kick which was superbly denied by Emi Martinez. Though it didn’t took long for Tuchel’s men to get that equalizer – In the 60th minute, Kolasinac brought down Weah in a poor challenge on the left inside the box to award PSG a penalty. Nkuku netted in from the spot as we are back to where we started.
It turned out the push Arsenal needed to break PSG down.
Emery made five changes in the 64th minute as youngsters were given another opportunity to prove themselves on big stage. Sokratis, Mustafi, Ozil, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan made way for Holding, Mustafi, Smith Rowe, Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.
These youngsters are really superstars, as Arsenal took the lead once again just three minutes from their arrival. Emile Smith Rowe was the shining armor once again, as he put in a curling cross into the penalty area which was netted in superbly by Lacazette – who showed his finishing class once again.
Lacazette couldn’t get enough of that first one as he nets his second and Arsenal’s third. Rob Holding spotted Lacazette without anyone around, who heads the ball towards the far post which hits the post before passing off the goal line.
Arsenal continued to dominate as Arsenal defender Holding made it 4-1 three minutes before the final whistle – from a long-range looping header by Reiss Nelson’s out-curling corner.
Arsenal still had another goal in their books as Reiss Nelson slipped in Nketiah for a fifth in injury time as Emery’s men destroy his former side.
