Champions League: Arsenal will face fierce competition as PSG will battle for ‘crucial’ first place
Arsene Wenger wants peace with fans by topping Group A of the Champions League to draw easier team
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN boss Unai Emery insists 'it is crucial to finish first', despite admitting they have been handed a good Champions League group.
The Paris chief believes they need to finish above Arsenal in order to get themselves in the best possible position for European glory.
The Gunners have failed to progress through to the round of 16 for the past six seasons, but topping their group would draw them against a lower ranked team.
It will be a fierce two-leg clash with the French side, with Swiss team Basel and Ludogorets complete group A.
Domestically, the Ligue 1 reigning champions are travelling south to Monaco for game-week three this weekend.
However, Emery confirmed in Friday's press conference that defender Thiago Silva, new recruit Jese - who signed for £21.2million from Real Madrid - and Marco Verratti are not fit.
Silva and Verratti have recovered from injury but are not fully fit to play 90 minutes and require extra time in training.
Jese is also not ready to play competitively but should soon be match-fit.
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Emery was appointed as new PSG manager this summer to replace Laurent Blanc and his favourite 4-2-3-1 formation seems to fit well.
Transfer wise, Emery confirmed midfielder Benjamin Stambouli is on his way to Schalke, goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu on loan with Sevilla and Jean-Christophe Bahebeck also on loan with Pescara in Serie A.