ICC 2018: Arsenal vs PSG: 5 talking points 

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, who retired from international football last week citing unjustified criticism by the German media and the DFB President Grindel himself for Germany's group stage exit at the World Cup, returned to club football to help Arsenal beat PSG 5-1 in Singapore today.

The new number 10 for Arsenal scored the first goal for his team before substitutes Alexandre Lacazette scored two and Rob Holding and Eddie Nketiah scored one each to wrap up a comfortable victory over PSG who fielded a second string side as their stars recuperate after their individual campaigns in Russia.

Leaked Tactics:

Unai Emery's Board Leaks His Tactics

Unai Wants To Try The 4-1-2-2-1

A closer look at Unai's tactics board reveals the manager's build-up style - a style that he adopts for zonal superiority along the length of the pitch.

Smaller triangles for passing along slanted channels when play is built from the back with the 4-1-2-2-1 as the starting formation seems to be his favourite. Here is a closer look at the board. Surely the following pages will have the wing-backs move up and make the smaller triangles go up the pitch to further the ball.

The Start Of The Build Up

Talking point 1: Leno seems quietly confident between the sticks

Bernd Leno seemed quietly confident between the sticks. Even though he was not as vocal as his PSG counterpart Buffon or exuberant as him in rallying his defense, Leno seems to answer a long standing dilemma at Arsenal - a pair of safe hands between the uprights.

Exuding Serenity In The Last Line Of Defense Is A Rare Breed Indeed

He also seems to distribute well and builds up quickly from the back under pressure.

Talking Point 2: That Greek Defender

I will have trouble remembering the name of the new guy bought in the CB role but he is doing every bit on the pitch to make me memorize the spelling of his name (as he sits somewhere in his Singapore hotel singing Mike Shinoda's "Remember the Name.")

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a natural born centre-back. Not only is he vocal but is also old-school. He is not there to give anyone a inch and means business. Along with Koscielny or Mustafi it could be a very mean looking central partnership.

And if the Domagoj deal happens it could be a Vidic-Ferdinand type title winning central defense between Sokratis and the World Cup finalist.

Domagoj Vida In France v Croatia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final

Talking Point 3: Guendouzi is one for the future

Matteo Guendouzi looked like Elneny's younger brother with the similar looking flocks of hair but the nineteen year old, at first glance, seems to be miles ahead of the Egyptian midfielder.

After his unconvincing show against Atletico de Madrid's central muscle two days back with only patches of brilliance - the young Frenchman proved his worth today against PSG. With Elneny's characteristic lateral passing tedious, Guendouzi pulled the strings in midfield.

Arsenal v Paris Saint Germain - International Champions Cup 2018

Talking Point 4: Mkhitaryan is wasted whenever Ozil plays

Well, after a lot of positive outcomes - we do need to look at the negative too. Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the wings is just not pacy enough in any formation.

He can be used to lethal effect as a number ten coming on as a substitute for Ozil but when Ozil starts, the talented Armenian fades away in the wings.

Arsenal need a wide man. Iwobi and Aubameyang are not enough to feed Lacazette, or whoever starts as centre forward. Kingsley Coman has cleared the air regarding a possible switch to Arsenal but Unai Emery needs to find someone to have options.

Spanish forward Lucas will feature under Spaniard Unai but he is more of a poacher in the box and should be used as a backup to Lacazette. Even among those coming off the substitutes' bench, Unai needs someone that will finally inject pace in his attacking wing-options, whenever he has to chase a game.

Is Arsenal's Depth Good Enough For A Top Four Finish?

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Talking point 5: Excellent chemistry in team

Arsenal got their much needed morale boosting victory but no one can argue that Wenger has left behind a team which fights for each other. The general sense of closeness and solidarity is evident. Mesut Ozil seems happy, and the team look comfortable on and off the pitch.

This would serve them well in what will be a challenging season, with Arsenal looking to enter the Champions League again.

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Arsenal face champions Manchester City in their opening game at the Emirates in two weeks.

Bring on the new season.