PSG set to drop another player vs Arsenal for non-injury reasons

Paris Saint-Germain are set to drop one of their best midfielders against Arsenal due to fears about the Gunners’ set pieces, according to a report.

France-based journalist Matt Spiro relays reports from the country that Paris Saint-Germain are set to play Fabian Ruiz, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Joao Neves in midfield against Arsenal, despite the return to fitness of Vitinha.

Vitinha has been excellent for PSG and was passed fit ahead of Tuesday’s game, but he’s reportedly being left out for bigger players to help the team deal with Arsenal’s set-piece threat.

Arsenal have indeed been excellent on set-pieces in recent months, and with Vitinha standing at a little below 5’8″, you can perhaps understand the concern about his ability to stop much larger opponents.

But Arsenal will be boosted by the news that PSG are dropping a player of Vitinha’s quality, soon after learning that Ousmane Dembele will also miss out on the match.

Dembele didn’t even travel with PSG for the game, even though he’s also fit to play. The winger fell out with manager Luis Enrique over the weekend, and he’s being punished by being left behind.

In terms of injury absentees, PSG only have a few. Goncalo Ramos (ankle injury), Lucas Hernandez (ACL injury), and Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles injury) are all out for the long term, and none of them were ever in contention to play in this match.

Their full squad is as follows: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Fabian, Asensio, Doue, Vitinha, Lee Kang-In, Kolo Muani, Mayulu, Nuno Mendes, Barcola, Zaire-Emery, Beraldo, Skriniar, Safonov, Zague, El Hannach, Mbaye, Pacho, Arnau Tenas, and Joao Neves.