Arsenal vs PSG: French champions are finally over loss of 'talisman' Zlatan Ibrahimovic, says Arsene Wenger

James Benge23 November 2016

Arsene Wenger believes Paris St Germain are finally over the loss of their “talisman”, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swedish striker, who joined Manchester United in the summer, became PSG’s record goalscorer in just four seasons, guiding his side to the Ligue 1 title in each season at the Parc des Princes.

This summer brought significant change to the French capital, Unai Emery replaced Laurent Blanc as head coach after Ibrahimovic’s departure had been confirmed, and PSG made a slow start to the season, winning four of their first seven league games.

Their slow start included a 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal, who will battle for top spot in their Champions League group tonight, but PSG’s form has been on an upswing in recent weeks, with Ibrahimovic’s one-time rival Edinson Cavani topping the Ligue 1 scoring charts.

Wenger said in his pre-match programme notes: “I believe Paris St Germain have settled and found a style under Unai Emery. It’s a good compromise between what PSG were about – that means possession – and as well, strong accelerations when the opening is there.

“I think they’ve found a good balance between what he wants and what the players are suited to. Of course it took him some time.

In Pictures: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's trophy haul

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“They lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic and he was their talisman, having scored 40 goals last season. When you lose that, you need to find a new balance and they have that now.”

In his pre-match press conference Wenger had labelled PSG’s home draw with Arsenal, a game that looked set to be a win for the French champions until Alexis Sanchez’s 77th minute equaliser placed the Gunners in the ascendancy in Group A.

Both sides have won their remaining fixtures against FC Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad and Wenger believes the hard-won point at the Parc des Princes, where his reserve goalkeeper David Ospina was man of the match, could be crucial for his Arsenal side.

“I believe both teams have done the job until now,” Wenger said. “We have done what was expected and we have done it away from home, now we can finish the job at home.

Arsenal training ahead of their UEFA Champions League match vs PSG

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“The draw in Paris was really valuable, and I have to give much credit to David Ospina. It was thanks to him we got a point and I was especially pleased for him because people had questioned him playing before the game. Goalkeepers are only rewarded for their performances if their team doesn’t lose this kind of game, and thankfully we didn’t.”

You can follow tonight's match live on Standard Sport. Click here to find out how.

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