Arsenal vs PSG: Latest team news, predicted lineup and injuries
Arsenal host PSG at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta faces a couple of key selection issues as Arsenal prepare to host Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League semi-final first leg.
Arsenal booked their place in the final four with a superb two-legged display against defending champions Real Madrid.
Now into their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years, Arsenal face PSG, who have looked one of the competition’s most dangerous side with their youthful, attacking brand of football.
Luis Enrique’s side, who have already cruised to the Ligue 1 title, survived a scare against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals to advance to their third semi-final in five seasons.
Tuesday’s first leg at the Emirates will prove a vital game for Arteta’s side, but the Spaniard will have to navigate the tie without Thomas Partey who is suspended.
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The Ghanaian picked up a costly yellow card in the second leg against Real and will be unable to line up alongside Rice in the middle of the park.
Tasked with replacing Partey, Arteta may turn to Mikel Merino who has been used as a makeshift centre forward in recent months but would provide plenty of physicality back in his usual role.
Although Arsenal did not play at the weekend, the Spaniard remains somewhat of an injury doubt for the Emirates clash after he was not in the matchday squad for Arsenal’s midweek clash with Crystal Palace.
Should Merino be passed fit and start in midfield, Leandro Trossard could then lead the line having scored three goals in his last two league games from a central position.
Elsewhere, Ben White is also a doubt as he continues to manage his fitness having recently returned from a major knee injury.
‘We have to wait and see, but they were unable to be in the squad today,’ Arteta said of Merino and White after last week’s draw with Palace.
Jorginho is expected to miss the clash after a rib injury he picked up earlier in the month, while Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jeusus are also sidelined with longer-term issues.
Riccardo Calafiori is still working his way back from another knee injury, but Arteta sounded hopeful that the Italian could be involved in the squad to face PSG on Tuesday.
Predicted Arsenal XI to face PSG
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Rice, Merino, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Where to watch Arsenal vs PSG? Kick-off time and TV channel
The first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and PSG kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday April 29.
The match will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime.
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