Arsenal facing nervous injuries wait ahead of PSG first leg

Mikel Merino & Ben White remain doubts for Arsenal vs PSG
Pair both missing for Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace
Thomas Partey suspended for first leg after needless yellow card

By Jamie Spencer | 3:30 PM GMT+1

Arsenal could be without players through injury / Ryan Pierse/GettyImages

Arsenal face an anxious wait to know if Mikel Merino and Ben White will be available for next week’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners have most of a week off between games following Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, which had to be brought forward a few days due to the Eagles’ FA Cup commitments.

But there is not yet any word on whether Merino or White will be fit enough for involvement when PSG make the short hop from the French capital to London next Tuesday night.

Both players were absent from the squad against Palace, and when Mikel Arteta was asked whether there would be a knock-on effect on the next game, he was unable to confirm anything. “We will have to wait and see as they were not able to be in the squad here,” he told reporters.

Any sort of prolonged absence for Merino would be a significant blow for Arsenal. The Gunners have pretty much stumbled onto his ability to play as a ‘false nine’, doing an admirable job of filling in for Kai Havertz since February in the absence of an actual striker.

Mikel Merino usually holds an important role / Angel Martinez/GettyImages

Merino played all 180 minutes of the quarter-final against Real Madrid in the role, scoring in the first leg at home and assisting in the return in Spain.

White is yet to reclaim a regular place since returning from a long-term knee injury in February, but is the first alternative for Jurrien Timber at right-back and still played a part in both Madrid games too.

Arsenal are already without Thomas Partey through suspension for the first PSG encounter, after his needless late yellow card after the Madrid tie was already won triggered a one-game ban. Jorginho is also a major doubt due to a rib injury, leaving Arteta light in midfield.

If fit, Merino could actually drop into a more familiar deeper role to cover the shortfall and leave the No.9 position for Leandro Trossard, who scored Arsenal’s second goal against Palace. Oleksandr Zinchenko would be another option, although he has spent much of the season on the bench.

Arsenal will be contesting their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years, seeking to reach only a second-ever final in the competition. Their only other final appearance ended in a late comeback defeat to Barcelona in 2006, having led most of the game, despite a player deficit.