Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain – Combined XI | OneFootball

Arsenal welcome Paris Saint-Germain to North London in a huge Champions League clash this week.

Mikel Arteta will take on his former team with the Arsenal manager having called the clash the ‘kind of night’ the Gunners want to experience against ‘an unbelievable opponent’.

Arsenal are aiming to build on a solid start to the season with a statement result against the French champions at the Emirates. Ahead of the contest, we’ve chosen our Combined XI from the two squads.

Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain – Combined XI

Goalkeeper: David Raya – Arsenal

Gianluigi Donnarumma’s résumé might include three league titles and a Player of the Tournament award at a European Championship, but it’s difficult to ignore David Raya’s start to the season. Sublime saves against Wolves and Aston Villa were impressive enough, before a stunning double-stop to earn Arsenal a point in their Champions League opener at Atalanta. He might just have the Save of the Season wrapped up on matchday one.

Right-back: Achraf Hakimi – PSG

Perhaps the benchmark for the modern full-back. Hakimi is electrically quick, technically superb, and a relentless raiding force. Named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season in successive campaigns, he’s started the new season on fire with a goal and three assists in five appearances.

It’s easy to forget Hakimi is still just 25, given he has earned Team of the Year inclusions in the Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1, won four league titles, and earned 79 caps for Morocco. One of the very best in the world in his position.

Centre-back: William Saliba – Arsenal

Paris Saint-Germain might just be casting envious glances at Arsenal on Tuesday evening. PSG’s search for centre-backs has been an ongoing process and in opposition this weekend will be two pillars who spent their formative years in Ligue 1.

Saliba has emerged as one of Europe’s best defenders in two seasons as an Arsenal regular. Quick over the ground and unfazed under pressure, the 23-year-old is difficult to beat.

Centre-back: Gabriel – Arsenal

Saliba’s central defensive partner offers a combative edge to match the Frenchman’s cool, with the two having helped Arsenal to the best defensive record in the Premier League across the last two seasons.

Often old-school in his defending, the big Brazilian has developed a welcome habit of scoring in big games. He’s netted at Stamford Bridge, the Etihad, Anfield, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in his Arsenal career.

Left-back: Jurrien Timber – Arsenal

Jurrien Timber is making up for lost time after the ACL injury that wrecked his debut season at Arsenal. Back to full fitness, he’s excelled in both full-back positions for the Gunners, offering a blend of positional intelligence and composure.

Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal

Arsenal broke their transfer record to sign Declan Rice and the midfielder has certainly uplifted Mikel Arteta’s team. Rice was runner-up for the FWA Footballer of the Year award last season after a standout debut campaign for the Gunners.

His box-to-box drive and improved end product have added a real presence to the engine room.

Midfield: Joao Neves – PSG

Paris Saint-Germain won the race to sign Joao Neves last summer, beating competition from the Premier League to land the 20-year-old in a €60m deal. It’s been so far so good for Neves, who has five assists in five Ligue 1 appearances.

The deep-lying playmaker was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Season at Benfica last term and has already won 11 caps for Portugal. The future is bright.

Midfield: Vitinha – PSG

Vitinha’s coming-of-age campaign saw him help PSG to a domestic treble last season, with Luis Enrique hailing the midfielder as the club’s Player of the Year.

Nine goals and five assists, alongside a catalogue of industrious performances, saw him included in Ligue 1’s Team of the Year and the Champions League Team of the Tournament. The 24-year-old, who was appointed a vice-captain of PSG in the summer, has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

Right-wing: Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Bukayo Saka’s standards are approaching a level where excellence has become expected. The 23-year-old scored 16 league goals during the 2023/24 Premier League season and has hit the ground running again this term.

Saka has a goal and five assists in six league games, while no player in Europe’s top five leagues has carved out more big chances.

Left-wing: Gabriel Martinelli – Arsenal

After a tough period, Gabriel Martinelli appeared back to his best in an Arsenal shirt at the weekend. The Brazilian is a manager’s dream when on song, boasting lightning pace and an unrelenting desire to hound opposition defenders.

Getting him back to his best could have a huge say on Arsenal’s season.

Forward: Kai Havertz – Arsenal

Kai Havertz was not the obvious candidate to fill Arsenal’s issue at centre-forward but he’s done a fine job to date.

The German returned 20 goal involvements (13G and 7A) in 30 league starts in 2023/24 and has four in six league games to start the current campaign. A willing runner with intelligent movement, he’s found a home as Arsenal’s number nine.

Read – Arteta opens up on admiration for PSG boss

See more – Paris Saint-Germain drop star from squad to face Arsenal

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