Unai Emery hasn’t enjoyed the finest start to life as PSG boss, it must be said. Granted, he oversaw the 4-1 thrashing of Lyon in the French Super Cup last month, but Robert Beric’s late equaliser in Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Saint Etienne means the Parisian giants have taken just seven points from a possible 12 this season. For most teams, this would not be cause for concern, but PSG are a club expected to dominate Ligue 1.
It’s the club’s worst start in four years, though this shouldn’t be too worrying an omen for Emery - PSG still secured league glory by 12 points in the 2012/13 season. Now, though, with pressure already building, attention turns to the Champions League, with Arsenal making the short trip to Paris as both teams kick off their latest European adventure. Emery was largely brought in due to his European pedigree following three successive Europa League trophy wins during his time with Sevilla.
Importantly, the welcome of Arsenal is a chance for redemption for Emery and his side as they look to put the disappointing draw with Saint Etienne behind them. Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria, who both started Friday's stalemate on the bench, should return to the first team fold at the Parc des Princes, but the bigger issue perhaps comes further back. Emery has the luxury of immense strength in depth, with the French giants boasting arguably one of the strongest squads on the continent.
There is sufficient competition for starting spots in every position, with the most intriguing perhaps between the sticks. Kevin Trapp has started all four of PSG’s league games this season, with Alphonse Areola forced to watch from the sidelines. Going from regular starter for Villarreal to backup for PSG is unlikely to have sat well with the young Frenchman, but Emery is reportedly going to adopt a similar approach to Luis Enrique with his goalkeepers from the last two seasons.
Prior to Claudio Bravo’s sale to Manchester City, the Chilean was Barcelona’s starting shotstopper in the league for the Spanish giants, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen utilised in the Champions League and domestic cup competitions. Ultimately, the bit-part role did not satisfy the German goalkeeper, now firmly considered Barcelona’s number one following Bravo’s switch to England.
Nevertheless, the move paid dividends, with Barcelona securing two league titles, two Copa Del Rey crowns, the Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup in the last two years. However, while seeing more action than most reserve stoppers, limited playing time can of course be a detriment to a player’s development, particularly as 24-year-old Ter Stegen strived to improve. It’s a similar predicament for Areola, who at 23 years of age is still in his infancy, as far as goalkeepers are concerned anyway.
He impressed as Villarreal number one, with his save success rate (76.4%) the fourth best of goalkeepers to make 15 or more La Liga appearances last season. Trapp (81.7%) may have outperformed Areola in this regard, but that in part is down to PSG conceding fewer shots per game (9.6) compared to Villarreal (11.9), importantly of lower quality in general. After Trapp was partially at fault for Beric’s equaliser on Friday evening, Tuesday night is the ideal time for the German's French counterpart to make his mark.
A home meeting with Arsenal can be considered a baptism of fire for Areola in PSG's first team, but with the Champions League group stages only just beginning, the pressure isn’t as high as it would be had Emery only called on the French goalkeeper in the latter games in Group A. Areola claimed more crosses (47) than any other shotstopper in La Liga last season, so he is evidently commanding in the 18-yard box for a keeper of his age, and should Arsenal resort to a more direct approach, Areola will be confident of countering the threat. Meanwhile, having kept the second most clean sheets (15) in Spain's top tier last term, he's certainly a more than capable stand in for PSG when required.
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Yet, Tuesday is as good a time as any for the Gunners to upset the odds. The last time Areola faced English opposition, he shipped three times as Liverpool overcame Villarreal to secure a spot in the Europa League final, in what was a game of real highs and lows for the youngster. PSG are unlikely to face such an onslaught, but Arsenal will look to force the issue in France. With Areola gunning for a regular starting spot, a strong showing in Tuesday’s Champions League tie would go a long way to convincing Emery that he warrants a more prominent role as the last line of defence, particularly after Trapp’s questionable form at times for the French champions.
The youngster can be expected to be under pressure from the off and it's now up to him to prove his mettle as PSG aim to hit the ground running in this season's Champions League in what is arguably the tie of the round.
Should Emery use Areola or Trapp in goal when PSG welcome Arsenal on Tuesday night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
