Preview: Liverpool welcome Manchester City in high-stakes clash
Goals, goals and some more goals are a guarantee when Manchester City travel to Anfield in the English Premier League!
It's a question of who will emerge as group winners when Arsenal host Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Wednesday as both sides have wrapped up qualification to the knockout stages.
PSG defender Serge Aurier’s visa has been rejected by the British authorities but even that controversial incident cannot overshadow what is the standout game of Matchday 5.
The sides drew 1-1 in September at the Parc des Princes, a game which the Parisiens should have put to bed long before the full-time whistle. Should they profligate once again, one can expect Arsenal to take the initiative and the result.
Arsenal
The Gunners haven't been in the best of form of late. Despite not losing any games recently, they have consecutively drawn against Arsenal and Manchester United in the English Premier League.
However, in Europe, they have been excellent, drawing just the one game and winning the other three.
The big question for Arsene Wenger is whether he gives Olivier Giroud a starting berth at the tip of their 4-2-3-1 formation after his exploits against Manchester United on the weekend.
Alexis Sanchez played against United, albeit with a heavily bandaged thigh and with qualification already confirmed, he is in line for a much-needed rest. In his stead, Arsenal might go with Alex Oxlade Chamberlian, another player who played a vital role in the away draw at Manchester United.
Their big worry remains with right-back Carl Jenkinson, who is playing in place of the injured Hector Bellerin. He is essentially the third choice in that position but with Mathieu Debuchy still not match-fit, the visitors may run riot on that flank.
Santi Cazorla, Lucas Perez, Bellerin, Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker are the long-term absentees for the Gunners and will definitely miss the European clash.
Paris Saint-Germain
The Parisiens have had a sluggish start to the season but seem to have overcome those initial hiccups, winning four out of their last five games (all competitions).
While Edinson Cavani is leading the Ligue 1 scoring charts, the first-leg against Arsenal where the Uruguayan missed a host of opportunities, is still fresh in the mind. He will have to put away those chances if PSG are to stand a chance of qualifying first from the group.
Manager Unai Emery’s 4-3-3 formation suits his team’s strengths perfectly, with the excellent wingers Angel di Maria and Lucas Moura given ample support from a impressive midfield set up.
Marco Verrati is the key man in their squad and he will look to make amends for his sending off in Paris with a superlative performance he is accustomed to producing.
They aren't short of talent in defence but the loss of Aurier cannot be overstated, considering he was key to most of their attacks in the first leg. His replacement is in for a tough night, as Arsenal will try to isolate that flank as much as possible.
The visitors have a few injury concerns, with Angel di Maria a concern after injuring his hamstring on the weekend and the winger will be touch-and-go for the trip to the Emirates.
Super Stat: Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has scored seven goals from just eight shots for Arsenal in the English Premier League!
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