PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot to miss Arsenal tie with hamstring injury

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot has ruled himself out of contention for their game against Arsenal in the fifth group game of the Champions League owing to a hamstring injury. It will come as a massive blow for PSG, whose game against Arsenal at the Emirates could decide their position in the group and consequently lead to a tougher draw in the knockout stages should they lose.

The midfielder was taken off in the 87<sup>th minute for France against Ivory Coast in a friendly with a hamstring issue and the midfielder believes that it will keep him out of action for a considerable period of time. The French club drew 1-1 against Arsenal in the reverse fixture on the opening day and are currently on same points, with both clubs winning all their corresponding fixtures and having already qualified for the round of 16.

Winner of the upcoming fixture will guarantee that they will top the group irrespective of what happens on the final matchday, owing to the head to head rule adopted in the Champions League. It was Rabiot's first senior cap for the national squad, having impressed in the U-21 level for the Blues.

"I think my goose is cooked as far as Arsenal is concerned. I came off because I felt a twinge in one of my legs. I really couldn't continue. Apparently it's a tear. But I don't want to say too much. I don't know exactly," Rabiot told Ligue 1's official website.

PSG squandered a host of gilt edged chances in the reverse fixture to put the game to bed after having taken the lead through Edinson Cavani in the first half. The Gunners grew into the game in the second period and scored the equaliser through Alexis Sanchez, keeping them in the hunt for the top spot in the group. The Gunners have not qualified out of the round of 16 for the last six seasons in a row, something manager Arsene Wenger will be desperate to correct.