Arsenal vs. Paris Saint-Germain predicted lineups, projected starting XIs: Mikel Merino fit for Gunners

Mikel Arteta received a big boost for Arsenal’s Champions League collision with Paris Saint-Germain On Monday with Mikel Merino Fit enough to train, so that the shape of the starting XI that will go on the semi -final in the field in the semi -final on Tuesday evening will probably be clarified.

Merino had missed the 2-2 draw on Wednesday with Crystal Palace for unconfirmed reasons, but both he and Ben White, another absent last week, could play a complete role in Open Training on Monday afternoon. As such, the 28 -year -old Merino is very likely that Arteta wants to build a midfield exceeds the technical qualities of his opposition.

The injuries and suspensions that have stalked Arsenal this season do not show any signs of relaxing at the Emirates Stadium. A foolish late collision with Antonio Rudiger means that Thomas Partey is suspended for the first stage. His place at the foot of midfield is likely to be taken by Declan Rice, where Jorginho is expected to miss a large part of the rest of the season with a rib injury.

That is expected to mean that Leandro Trossard will lead the line in the only change in the XI that Real Madrid defeated at home and away. Arsenal remains without a series of key figures: Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz (both hamstring), Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu (both knee). There remains hope that Riccardo Calafiori could recover from his knee problem on time in Paris next Wednesday for the second stage.

The comparison is easier for PSG. Indeed, there is probably only one important question for Luis Enrique, who has a fully fit team to choose from. Does he start Bradley Barcola or wishes Doue next to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele in the front three? The first perhaps offers a greater unpredictability for the shape of the Parisian attack – both he and Kvaratskhelia love to occupy the left flank – but it is Doue that has been preferred lately.

The one who forms the front three, the rest of the team can be put in stone just as well, provided that there are no injuries. Since the end of the competition phase, only 13 players started with Champions League matches for PSG, a song that would be a lower if Lucas Beraldo should not have replaced the suspended Marquinhos in the 3-1 victory against Aston Villa.

Predicted teams

Arsenal: David Raia; Jurien Timber, Wyliam, Jakior, Blessed Lewis; Martin Odegaard, Decline Rice, Merino; Baka Saka, Lendro Trossd, Gabriel Martinil.

PSG: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabianruiz; Desire Done, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia