The starting XI from Arsenal’s last Champions League clash with PSG, there’s several surprises

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Arsenal have plenty of history with Paris Saint-Germain in European competition, but have not faced the French Champions in a long time.

The Gunners ended a six-year absence from the Champions League last season as they returned to the competition to reach the quarter-finals, and Arsenal are aiming to go all the way this time.

Both Arsenal and PSG are yet to win the Champions League, with PSG reaching the final in 2020, but both are expected to reach the late stages of the competition as two of Europe’s best teams.

It was a very different story when they last faced each other in the Champions League, as both sides were drawn against each other in the 2016-17 group stages.

Arsene Wenger faced his eventual successor Unai Emery, with Arsenal drawing 1-1 in Paris before a 2-2 tie at home, but they managed to finish top of the group.

The starting XI from Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with PSG at the Emirates Stadium in November 2016 was fairly strong, but there were a few surprises.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s top European nights at Highbury and Emirates Stadium

How Arsenal lined up against PSG in 2016 Champions League draw

Cup goalkeeper David Ospina started in goal in place of Petr Cech, and he had a lot to deal with given the back line in front of him.

Carl Jenkinson, who recently joined Bromley FC, came in for a rare start at right-back after several injuries elsewhere, whilst Shkodran Mustafi was paired alongside Laurent Koscielny.

Kieran Gibbs replaced Nacho Monreal at left-back as Wenger rotated his side, which also saw Francis Coquelin start in midfield ahead of Granit Xhaka.

Aaron Ramsey performed well in midfield alongside Coquelin, with Alex Iwobi, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez behind French striker Olivier Giroud.

Arsenal XI vs PSG in 2-2 draw in 2016: Ospina, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Ramsey, Alexis, Ozil, Iwobi, Giroud.

What happened in Arsenal 2-2 PSG in 2016?

Arsenal knew that they had to win to give themselves the advantage in the race to top the group, with both teams level on points heading into match week five.

The away side took the lead through Edinson Cavani in the first 20 minutes, but Arsenal equalised just before half time with a Giroud penalty. Alexis was brought down in the box after a clever pass from Ozil, and the Frenchman converted to level the scores.

Arsenal then took the lead in the second half as Ramsey forced an own goal from Marco Verratti after a huge deflection, and Wenger’s side were in the driving seat.

However, Ospina conceded a poor goal as future Spurs winger Lucas Moura headed in from a corner to equalise. Cavani missed several chances to win the game for Emery’s team, and they settled for a point each.

PSG then drew with Ludogorets in the final group game, meaning Arsenal finished as winners, but the Gunners would go on to draw Bayern Munich in the round of 16, with PSG also eliminated by Barcelona.