Arsenal has received a significant boost ahead of their Champions League semifinal first leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain, scheduled for Tuesday night. Midfielder Mikel Merino participated fully in training on Monday and is deemed fit, a development likely to influence manager Mikel Arteta`s starting eleven selection.
Merino was absent from the recent 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace for unspecified reasons, but he and Ben White, who also missed the previous match, were full participants in Monday`s open training session. Consequently, the 28-year-old Merino is highly probable to start, as Arteta looks to field a midfield capable of matching the technical prowess of their French opponents.
Despite Merino`s return, Arsenal continues to grapple with a string of injuries and suspensions at the Emirates Stadium. Thomas Partey is suspended for the first leg due to a late foul in a prior game. Declan Rice is expected to take his place at the base of the midfield, particularly as Jorginho is projected to miss a considerable part of the remaining season with a rib injury.
This lineup scenario suggests Leandro Trossard will likely lead the attack, potentially being the main change from the side that overcame Real Madrid in the previous round. Arsenal`s lengthy injury list still includes key players such as Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz (both hamstring issues), along with Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu (both knee injuries). There remains hope that Riccardo Calafiori could recover from his knee problem in time for the second leg next Wednesday in Paris.
For Paris Saint-Germain, the selection picture is far more straightforward. Manager Luis Enrique boasts a fully fit squad, with perhaps the only major decision concerning the attacking trident. Reports indicate Desire Doue is favoured to start alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele, possibly ahead of Bradley Barcola.
Regardless of the specific players chosen for the front three, the rest of PSG`s team is largely settled due to the lack of injuries. Enrique has demonstrated a strong preference for a core group of players throughout the Champions League knockout stages, with only 13 players starting matches since the group stage concluded (a number that would be one fewer if not for Lucas Beraldo stepping in for the suspended Marquinhos in one instance).
Predicted Starting XIs
Arsenal: David Raya; Jurien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino; Bukayo 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
