Arsenal host PSG in a crunch UEFA Champions League showdown on October 1 in their first home European game of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage by Bayern Munich last season in their first Champions League campaign since 2016/17.
The Gunners look ready to power on again this season, Their dramatic 4-2 win over Leicester City at the weekend continued an unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.
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European action brings a different set of challenges, with Arteta’s squad not as experienced in the competition as their Parisian visitors, despite ongoing improvements in north London.
A 0-0 opening draw at Atalanta was a reminder of how difficult converting domestic form to the continental stage can be and Arteta faces a tough challenge against his old friend Luis Enrique.
Ahead of the game, Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber called on his teammates to step up to the challenge ahead, with the Dutch international confident the hosts can secure a key win at Emirates Stadium.
“I think a lot of players have played in big games, of course the Champions League is different, but it’s not really different to the big games we have in the Premier League”, he said.
“I don’t need to tell them how they need to play tomorrow or how they need to play in these big games.
“Obviously we need to play with a lot of courage and be who we are.”
Timber added his agreement on the growing calls to address the bloated fixture schedule, but stated his delight at playing consistent games, after seeing his debut 2023/24 campaign wrecked by injury.
The former Ajax star has started six of Arsenal last seven games, only rested for the EFL Cup win over Bolton Wanderers and switching from left-back to right-back along the way.
He is expected to keep his starting spot against PSG, with Arteta tipped to name an unchanged team from the Leicester win.
