In his pre-game news conference Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he has no doubts that forward Phil Foden, who starts tonight, will soon return to his best form.

City visit Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League tonight, while Slovan manager Vladimir Weiss left Guardiola bemused by comparing him to Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.

Image source, PA Media

Great scenes and great noise from the travelling Paris St-Germain fans as the players warm-up on the pitch. There are a few thousand of them jumping up and down and waving scarves.

Thomas

John Cross
Daily Mirror Chief Football Writer on BBC Radio 5 Live

Sorry to disappoint but they [PSG] are a team that perhaps lacks those megastars of a couple of seasons ago.

They've still got Marquinhos in central defence, Donnarumma in goal, but the manager has even fallen out this weekend with one of France's big stars Ousmane Dembele - who's not in the squad because of a bust-up.

It's not the star-studded line-up but still PSG bring a gravitas and a glamour to the Champions League group stages.

I would argue it's Arsenal's most glamorous group tie of this new format.

The last Paris St-Germain player to score in the Champions League was Kylian Mbappe on 16 April against Barcelona, with the French side attempting 71 shots without scoring in the competition since then.

Indeed, they’ve only landed 14 of those 71 shots on target, but have hit the woodwork on four occasions.

Mbappe, of course, joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer.

Image source, Reuters

Best keeper in the Premier League right now?

Image source, PA Media

Slovan Bratislava play their second game in their Champions League campaign after they were overpowered by a rampant Celtic in their opener.

Liam Scales headed in Arne Engels' corner to send the Celtic Park crowd wild on 17 minutes, and the Scottish champions created a flurry of other opportunities before the break but failed to embellish their score.

However, Kyogo Furuhashi diverted Nicolas Kuhn's fierce cross into the net barely two minutes into the second half, banishing any lingering nerves Celtic fans may have had about profligacy returning to bite them.

Further opportunities came and went before the outstanding Engels slotted in a third from the penalty spot after Alistair Johnston was caught by Danylo Ihnatenko.

Kevin Wimmer's brilliant finish with the outside of his left foot briefly punctured the party atmosphere as Slovan hit back, but normal service quickly resumed. Reo Hatate teed up Daizen Maeda to re-establish Celtic's three-goal cushion, before James Forrest slipped through fellow substitute Adam Idah to round off a morale-boosting and much-needed victory.

Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Amazon Prime: "I'm really looking forward to it, it is the kind of game you want to play and scenarios you want to be involved in."

On keeping the same starting XI as the weekend: "No, it wasn't an easy decision, it never is because everyone is giving me headaches. However we believe that for the start of the game this team is the right fit. There is a lot of versatility on and off the ball, a lot of physicality which is required at this level, a goal threat, everything we're looking for."

On Mikel Merino on the bench: "It is a possibility that he plays, I don't have players on the bench if they are not ready to play."

On PSG: "They are a team that want to dominate the ball, to win it back as soon as they lose it. His [Luis Enrique] character and fingerprints are all over the team. He has won this competition before and has huge experience already with a few different teams. That is why this will be a big test for us."

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has been spotted at the Emirates as Arsenal prepare to face the club he managed to the 2021-22 Ligue 1 title.

Last month Pochettino was named as the new manager of the United States men's team.

Image source, Reuters

French side Brest's dream Champions League start is continuing.

They've been up against it away to Red Bull Salzburg but have just poached another goal on the break.

After a ricochet in the home side's box the ball falls to Mahdi Camara who hammers his effort into the bottom corner.

A two-goal lead with just two shots on target.

Brest, who beat Sturm Graz 2-1 last month, finished third in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for Europe for the first time.

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Should Manchester City win or draw against Slovan Bratislava, they will equal the record for the longest unbeaten run in European Cup/Champions League history.

It is currently held by Manchester United (25 games between September 2007 and May 2009). Pep Guardiola’s side have won 16 and drawn eight of their past 24 matches in the Champions League.

Mike: This PSG side is looking extremely weak. Anything but 3 points for Arsenal would be a little embarrassing.

Image source, Getty Images

The pre-game news conferences got a bit strange.

“I would compare Pep to Antoni Gaudi. He’s been building something and he is a genius. Just like Gaudi had his idea of a cathedral, now he’s achieved what he wanted to do. He’s selected players who fit his philosophy" – Slovan Bratislava coach Vladimir Weiss Senior compared Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, designer of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia cathedral.

Guardiola, who famously guided Barcelona to two Champions League titles and oversaw City’s success in the competition in 2023, was a little bemused at the analogy.

“No glass of wine for my colleague?” Guardiola joked. “I appreciated that a lot, but from Catalonia Gaudi was maybe the greatest.”

"I want to say something honest – with this start of the press conference (it seems like) we are going to play a friendly game. I’m a little bit concerned about that in terms of the questions about Gaudi and this kind of thing. It’s a competition.

“With this new format, I don’t know exactly how you handle it and how many points you need. At the end, it’s a competition. Perform well, improve on the bad things and that’s what I like most in my process.”

Image source, Getty Images

Bukayo Saka gets to lead Arsenal out against the French champions.

Saka has been directly involved in seven goals in five Champions League appearances at Emirates Stadium (four goals and three assists).

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter at Emirates Stadium

While Arsenal are unchanged from the side that beat Leicester City at the weekend, PSG makes for interesting reading. No Ousmane Dembele, who has been left behind following a dispute with Luis Enrique, but they are boosted by the return of Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.

The Italian international has missed the last three games with a thigh injury.

Nuno Mendes starts at left back after recovering from a virus but Euro winner Fabian Ruiz is still missing from the starting XI because of an ankle problem.

Image source, Rex Features

French champions Paris St-Germain have arrived in London without Ousmane Dembele, a three-time La Liga winner with Barcelona.

Reports emerged that the France 2018 World Cup winner had a disagreement with PSG boss Luis Enrique after being substituted in their 3-1 win over Rennes in the French top flight last Friday.

"If someone doesn't comply or respect the expectations of the team, it means they are not prepared to play," said Enrique.

"I want all my players to be ready, so as a consequence I have left him out. I want the best for my team and that is my job."

Champions League

Image source, Getty Images

Anthony Taylor is in charge of Red Bull Salzburg against Brest which is one of two early kick-offs. And the English referee has been in the thick of the action, booking three players before half-time. The French visitors lead 1-0 thanks to Abdallah Sima's goal.

In the other early game Stuttgart and Sparta Prague are drawing 1-1.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

You can listen to full match commentary of Arsenal-Paris St-Germain from Emirates Stadium on 5 Live. Ian Dennis is joined by former Everton midfielder Leon Osman.

Build-up is starting now.

Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter at Emirates Stadium

There's a spot on the bench for Arsenal summer signing Mikel Merino.

He got injured in his first training session for the Gunners and has yet to make an appearance for the club.

He was in training yesterday and looks to be building his fitness as he gets nearer to making his debut.

He's been brought to the club for his ability to win duels and his physicality and it will be a big boost for Mikel Arteta when he can call on him regularly.

You can watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 BST on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

If you're still trying to wrap your head around the new format which is home to a comically large league table, then have a watch of the video explainer above.