Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta received a significant boost ahead of the Champions League semifinal first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Midfielder Mikel Merino was deemed fit enough to participate in training on Monday, likely confirming his place in the starting eleven.
Merino`s absence from the recent 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace was unexplained, but both he and Ben White, who also missed that match, were full participants in Monday afternoon`s open training session. With the 28-year-old Merino expected to start, Arteta aims to field a midfield capable of physically matching PSG`s technical quality.
Injuries and suspensions continue to trouble Arsenal this season. Thomas Partey is suspended for the first leg following a late challenge against Antonio Rudiger. Declan Rice is expected to fill his role at the base of midfield, as Jorginho is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a rib injury.
Assuming Leandro Trossard leads the attack, the lineup could otherwise mirror the one that secured victories against Real Madrid home and away. Arsenal still has a list of key players sidelined: Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee). There remains hope that Riccardo Calafiori might recover from his knee issue in time for the second leg in Paris next Wednesday.
For PSG, the situation is clearer. Manager Luis Enrique has a fully fit squad at his disposal, leaving arguably only one key selection decision. Desire Doue was chosen over Bradley Barcola to join Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele in the attacking trio.
With no injury concerns, the rest of PSG`s team composition appears largely settled. Since the group stage concluded, only 13 players have started Champions League matches for PSG. This number would be even lower if Lucas Beraldo hadn`t needed to step in for the suspended Marquinhos during the 3-1 victory against Aston Villa.
Potential Starting Lineups
Arsenal:
- David Raya
- Jurien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly
- Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino
- Bakayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli
PSG:
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes
- Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz
- Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
