PSG Looking to Avenge a 22-Year Pain Against Arsenal in Champions League

September 14 marks the 22-year anniversary since Paris Saint-Germain played their first Champions League group game. They beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Parc des Princes, and current manager Unai Emery will be hoping to celebrate victory over Arsenal to commemorate that landmark.

The landscape of both clubs has changed so much since the 1990s, and it was just five months before PSG made the step up to Europe's elite tournament that they lost to the Gunners.

Beaten 2-1 on aggregate as George Graham's Arsenal won a place in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, which they would go on to win by beating Parma 1-0 in Copenhagen.

The two clubs have not met in a competitive match since that contest. PSG went into the game as slight favourites, as Arsenal had only managed to finish 10th in the Premier League, a whopping 28 points behind Manchester United.

They had qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup by beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in an FA Cup final replay at Wembley Stadium, with Andy Linighan sealing victory with an 119th-minute winner.

Not only had PSG won the Coupe de France that year, but they also finished second in the French Division 1—five points behind Olympique de Marseille. Yet, the Stade Velodrome side were later stripped of the title due to a bribery scandal.

When this season's Champions League group-stage draw was made, PSG were handed the status of group favourites, but as the early-season fixtures have been played, their reputation has slipped.

Friday's 1-1 draw with Saint-Etienne, following a 3-1 defeat at AS Monaco before the international break, has piled some pressure on Emery, and the champions don't look as strong as they did last season.

Per ESPN FC, PSG sporting director Patrick Kluivert told press in the mixed zone after the final whistle:

"

We are not happy. Things were better in the second half.

Arsenal will be a completely different match. There will not be five defenders. It was difficult to breach this wall. There will be a lot more space to play. Unai Emery must be given time and yes, of course, he will be given that. Producing immediate results is not simple.

Is Arsenal a decisive match? No. It is an important one but not decisive.

"

Many would disagree with the former Netherlands striker's sentiments. PSG failed to beat Real Madrid when it counted last term, forcing them to finish second in the group and handing them a tougher passage through the knockout stage.

Emery was brought in to do what Laurent Blanc failed to do; reach the semi-final stage. Failing to pick up a win against Arsenal, combined with the early-season results, will put a huge dampener on their ambitions.

Nothing will be decided on Tuesday night, unlike the crucial two-legged match that had fans on both sides of the Channel engrossed in 1994.

The first leg was played in Paris and in front of a sell-out crowd. PSG started well, inspired by the guile of future Tottenham Hotspur winger, David Ginola.

Arsenal worked their way back into the game and nearly took the lead when John Jensen stung the gloves of Bernard Lama after a lovely move midway through the first half.

Ten minutes later the visitors would make it 1-0. Raymundo gave away a clumsy foul outside the box. The free-kick was curled into the area by Paul Davis' left foot, and Ian Wright added the faintest of touches to guide it into the far corner.

PSG nearly bounced back quickly. Wright lost the ball near his own corner flag to Laurent Fournier, whose dangerous cross looked to find George Weah. However, Tony Adams was able to get his head to the ball before the Liberian striker.

Early in the second half, PSG did find the equaliser. Valdo, the mercurial Brazilian, whipped a corner toward the near post, where Ginola got a flick on the ball to squeeze it past David Seaman.

Lama would make two big saves late on from Wright and Alan Smith to keep the game level going into the second leg.

Two weeks later at Highbury, Seaman nearly gifted PSG an early advantage. His sloppy throw was intercepted by Valdo, who picked out Rai in the area, but Adams was on hand to clear the danger.

The importance of that clearance was felt moments later when Arsenal grabbed the lead that would win the game and the tie.

A superb cross from the right from Lee Dixon was met by the head of Kevin Campbell. Standing in line with the edge of the six-yard box, his firm header was guided beautifully to Lama's bottom left-hand corner and the future West Ham United goalkeeper was beaten.

Ahead of Tuesday's game, both coaches are sweating over the fitness of their defences. With so much attacking talent on either side, who makes it back in time could be crucial.

Laurent Koscielny had to go off against Southampton at the weekend, after a kick to the head late in the game left huge swelling around the French defender's eye.

Per the Guardian, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said:

"

He is one of the most experienced players we have now here.

He is one of the longest-serving defenders and I think he is one of our best players. When I think about the squad, when you choose a captain as well, you think of one with a good chance to play in every single game and that’s not easy nowadays. He has committed to the club for a long contract and he has always improved every year. Today he is an outstanding centre-back.

"

The Frenchman has been named in Wenger's squad despite the injury. It's unclear just how much damange was done to his face. If he starts, there will be doubts over his ability to be commited in aerial challenges.

For the home side, they have a lot more issues going into the game. Back in 1994, PSG were without experienced centre-back Alain Roche for the first leg and that proved crucial.

PSG captain Thiago Silva is set to make his first competitive appearance of the campaign after missing all the league games so far following a pre-season injury.

There is no way the Brazilian is fully fit, but his experience could be vital, especially with Layvin Kurzawa ruled out. Maxwell has been named in the squad, he should start instead of moving Presnel Kimpembe to left-back.

Serge Aurier was a doubt for the game too, but has been named in the squad. Thomas Meunier could still keep his place at right-back, but he was not at his best on Friday. Partly to blame for Saint-Etienne's equaliser, he is great going forward, but doubts remain over his defensive ability.

Emery looks set to select a back four that has played very little football this season. It will take a wonderful performance from the defence to keep out the north London club.

PSG may have started as favourites in 1994, but they were beaten by a well-organised, spirited Arsenal side. It would take the Parisians another two years before they would get their hands on the Cup Winners' Cup trophy.

The early-season results give Arsenal reasons to be hopeful on Tuesday. Emery will be hoping that lightning doesn't strike twice, but at this stage, you would think that the Spanish boss would take an opening-game draw, just as they managed in 1994.