Arsenal-PSG Combined XI: Donnarumma or Raya? Neves or Ødegaard? Barcola or Saka? | OneFootball

Arsenal host Paris Saint-Germain tomorrow night at the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. Ahead of the game, Get French Football News decided to put together a combined XI. The one rule is that the players have to be fit and ready for the match, so, for example, Gabriel Magalhães can’t be selected.

Arsenal-PSG Combined XI

Goalkeeper – David Raya (Arsenal)

In goal, we’ve gone for Arsenal’s David Raya over Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian was the hero for PSG in the shootout against Liverpool, but he’s gained a reputation for costly errors in high-profile matches. The last time these two sides met was no exception.

Left-back – Nuno Mendes (PSG)

Myles Lewis-Skelly has been phenomenally impressive. The teenager looks completely assured at the highest level and is sure to have a bright future (be it in defence or midfield). However, Nuno Mendes is quite a few years down the path Lewis-Skelly is on.

Centre-back – Willian Pacho (PSG)

If Gabriel Magalhães were fit, this spot would be his, but his injury means we’re not allowed to select him. Willian Pacho gets the nod over Jakub Kiwior in Gabriel’s absence. Kiwio has deputised well, but Pacho has had a really solid season.

Centre-back – William Saliba (Arsenal)

A couple of ropey moments in recent games should do little to harm William Saliba’s well-earned reputation. The Frenchman has become one of the best in the world under Mikel Arteta. Marquinhos, on the other hand, has regressed somewhat this season.

Right-back – Achraf Hakimi (PSG)

Under Luis Enrique, Achraf Hakimi has become the fullback everyone expected him to be when he first emerged from the Real Madrid academy. He’s now a brilliant two-way player, and his absence can be sorely felt. Jurrien Timber similarly is excellent, and it was a shame that an injury robbed Arsenal of his talents for so long. A gut decision shaped this pick.

Centre midfielder – Vitinha (PSG)

Vitinha is the fulcrum of this PSG team. He has the keys to the midfield and can make them one of the smoothest trios to watch in European football. He’s a delight on the ball and can be viscous off it. There’s so much to like about him, it would have been impossible to keep him out of this team.

Centre midfielder – Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Fabián Ruiz is very good, but this was not a difficult choice. Declan Rice has shown that the £100 million Arsenal spent to sign him in 2023 from West Ham was a bargain. His free kicks against Real Madrid were the cherry on the cake of an exceptional season.

Centre midfielder – João Neves (PSG)

A difficult choice. In any other season, Martin Ødegaard would have won this pick. However, the Norwegian is having a tough campaign, while João Neves is flourishing.

Left winger – Désiré Doué (PSG)

Désiré Doué gets the nod over Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Gabriel Martinelli. The Frenchman is one of the most fun players to watch and is very quickly making a star name for himself in a team that was meant to eschew its Galactico past.

Striker – Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)

It would have been hard not to pick Ousmane Dembélé even if Arsenal didn’t have an injury crisis in this position. The former Barcelona man’s conversion from a winger into a fluid number nine has been brilliant to watch. He’s gone cold in recent games, but still tops Ligue 1’s goalscoring charts with 21 strikes in 28 games.

Right winger – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

By far the easiest choice. Bradley Barcola could one day be one of the best wingers in the world, but Bukayo Saka already is. There’s very little to say about the Englishman that hasn’t already been said. He’s incredible, and his return from injury came at the perfect time.

GFFN | Nick Hartland