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Champions League: Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Marco Verratti, Angel Di Maria… Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal combined XI

SunSport previews mammoth Parc des Princes showdown and looks at which stars would make the ultimate first team

ARSENAL travel to Paris Saint-Germain in what will remarkably be Arsene Wenger's first clash with the French champions since arriving to North London.

The pair seem evenly matched with the French side seemingly weakening in the summer after losing icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But are they still stronger than the Gunners?

Here, SunSport names our PSG-Arsenal combined XI

Goalkeeper

Petr Cech — Arsenal

 Petr Cech will have to concentrate with hostile atmosphere at Parc des Princes
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Petr Cech will have to concentrate with hostile atmosphere at Parc des PrincesCredit: Getty Images

Probably the easiest decision to make.

Cech may have been Jose Mourinho's 2nd choice behind Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea, but he is still top quality.

Will need to be at his best in a hostile Parc des Princes enviornment.

Defence

Hector Bellerin — Arsenal

 Hector Bellerin is the quickest player in the Premier League and is vital for Arsenal
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Hector Bellerin is the quickest player in the Premier League and is vital for ArsenalCredit: Getty Images

Has to be the best right-back in the Premier League.

The speedy Bellerin has established himself as the Gunners' first-choice full-back.

A former Barcelona academy graduate, it may not be too long until he returns to the Nou Camp.

Thiago Silva — PSG

 Paris Saint-Germain are hopeful Thiago Silva will be fit and available against Arsenal
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Paris Saint-Germain are hopeful Thiago Silva will be fit and available against ArsenalCredit: Getty Images

A leader at the back who has been sorely missed this season.

Is expected to return for the Champions League opener that will be a welcome boost for boss, Unai Emery.

Silva has commonly been regarded as one of the world's finest defenders in recent years.

Laurent Koscielny — Arsenal

 Laurent Koscielny has established himself as a leader at the back for Arsenal
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Laurent Koscielny has established himself as a leader at the back for ArsenalCredit: Getty Images

This was a tough choice, with Marquinhos a top quality defender.

But Koscielny has grown at the Emirates and is now an established leader.

It's no coincidence Arsenal improved when he returned to the side.

Nacho Monreal — Arsenal

 Nacho Monreal is solid for Arsenal and will rarely let Arsene Wenger down
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Nacho Monreal is solid for Arsenal and will rarely let Arsene Wenger downCredit: Getty Images

Would have been a much harder choice has PSG's first-choice left-back, Layvin Kurzawa been available.

Monreal has come into his own after shaky start to life in North London.

Is extremely reliable and rarely lets his team-mates down.

Defensive Midfield

Blaise Matuidi — PSG

 Blaise Matuidi's job will be to disrupt Arsenal's flow in his central midfield role
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Blaise Matuidi's job will be to disrupt Arsenal's flow in his central midfield roleCredit: Getty Images

The Frenchman came close to leaving Paris, with Juventus interested in making him Paul Pogba's replacement.

However, he stayed and is likely to establish himself an important member of Emery's side.

At 29, he is no spring chicken, but Matuidi is a powerful player who will be charged with disrupting any Arsenal attack.

Marco Verratti — PSG

 Marco Verratti is the new star at the Parc des Prices after Zlatan Ibrahimovic left
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Marco Verratti is the new star at the Parc des Prices after Zlatan Ibrahimovic leftCredit: Getty Images

Arguably the new star at the Parc des Prices after Ibrahimovic's departure.

Injury cost Verratti his chance of playing for Italy at Euro 2016.

But is likely to be the man the national side will build future teams around.

Santi Cazorla — Arsenal

 Santi Cazorla is important in the middle of the park and was badly missed last season
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Santi Cazorla is important in the middle of the park and was badly missed last seasonCredit: Getty Images

The Spaniard was badly missed when injury cut short his season in the last campaign.

Cazorla is composed on the ball and helps keep the play moving.

He showed his mental strength with last-minute winner from the spot against Southampton.

Attacking Midfield

Alexis Sanchez — Arsenal

 Alexis Sanchez could be Arsenal's matchwinner against PSG at Parc des Princes
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Alexis Sanchez could be Arsenal's matchwinner against PSG at Parc des PrincesCredit: Getty Images

It's difficult to leave out Angel Di Maria — but Sanchez just pips the former Manchester United winger.

The Chilean may not be at the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, despite what he may think.

But, on his day, he is unplayable and could easily be the difference maker.

Mesut Ozil — Arsenal

 Mesut Ozil has grown into a key figure after a difficult start to life in the Premier League
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Mesut Ozil has grown into a key figure after a difficult start to life in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images

Lucas Moura was joined PSG despite strong interest from Manchester United.

But he hasn't shown anything to suggest he belongs among the elite.

Assist-king, Ozil, meanwhile, endured a sticky start to life at the Emirates, but has recaptured his early Real Madrid form and is now one of Arsenal's most important players.

Striker

Jese — PSG

 Jese has big boots to fill as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's replacement at Paris Saint-Germain
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Jese has big boots to fill as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's replacement at Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty Images

Olivier Giroud has only played once so far this season — and there are still huge question marks over the Frenchman.

While, remarkably, despite the departure of Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani was dropped for the weekend's draw against St Etienne.

Jese has big boots to fill in Paris but, with time on his side, could turn out to be a stellar signing.

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