Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: PSG's new 'symbol' who dictated Arsenal defeat

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is “symbolic” of the new hard-working Paris Saint-Germain side without superstars, according to World Cup winner Bixente Lizarazu. But the France '98 champion admits the French champions “got lucky” when Mikel Merino’s goal was disallowed and will offer a set-piece threat in the second leg.

Georgian winger Kvaratskhelia signed from Napoli in a €80million deal in January and has added flair - and defensive discipline - to the French champions. Dubbed Kvaradona for his dribbling skills, he also tracked back to help Nuno Mendes contain the threat of at the Emirates after Ousmane Dembele scored an early goal. Such team-work did not always happen in the side where , Neymar and Kylian Mbappe failed to defend as a unit.

Lizarazu, the left-back at France 98, told L’Equipe: “I love his mentality. When you're a full-back, it's a great comfort because you know he's always going to come and help you, that he's always going to come and do the job.

"It's quite symbolic of a team that's quite collective where everyone works hard.

"Dembélé is the first line of defence and Kvara will do a titanic defensive job to help the defence on his left side. These are very positive signals about the collective spirit of a team.”

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Lizarazu added: “It's a very good result. [But] we mustn't forget the way Arsenal eliminated in the last round.

"Paris were dominant in the first half in all areas of the game. They pressed very aggressively, very high up, which caused Arsenal a lot of problems. The Gunners were stifled by this pressure.

"Dembélé played a truly central role when he came into a slightly deeper position to get involved and help his defenders to build an attack. He was a very good link man and a very good focal point to break Arsenal's pressure. He was truly very good."

But the former Bordeaux and defender sees two bits of encouragement for Arsenal - a potential hamstring injury to their top scorer and the deadball threat posed by the Gunners.

“My concern is seeing Dembélé come off,” Lizarazu added. “I hope it's not a bad thing. Without Dembélé, the attack doesn't have the same flavour. But I'm confident. Away from home, they showed clear superiority in the first half and an ability to resist without too much trouble in the second.

“Arsenal came out of that match worried, thinking: "Wow, how do we do this?" It's a positive thing psychologically. And we knew there would be a big battle for control of the ball.

"The battle was won by PSG. And from the moment they have control of the game, they can manage the tempo, take the pressure off themselves. Possession is a bit like a thermostat; when there's a fire, you turn on the ball and reduce the temperature.”

The hosts were denied an equaliser when Merino was marginally offside before heading home a free kick.

“The pre-match analysis showed on the pitch,” Lizarazu added. “Yes, Arsenal played well, yes they were dangerous, Paris got lucky, it was decided 20 centimeters away from Merino's goal.

“It's clear that if there's one thing to work on particularly to avoid any scares, it's these set pieces. Arsenal are good in this area, and Paris are fragile. Ultimately, it's the only area where they were dominant. Declan Rice takes them well, their little routine with their blocks is quite effective.

"But if Paris stays at this level in all other areas of the game, they have everything they need to qualify.”

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