Mikel Arteta drops Arsenal vs PSG starting XI hint as Thomas Partey ban forces two changes

Mikel Arteta has suggested that Leandro Trossard could start when Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final. The Gunners will host Luis Enrique's side at the Emirates Stadium at the end of this month – .

The 31-year-old midfielder will miss the clash due to suspension. He was shown his third yellow card of the campaign after at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Partey must now serve a one-match ban and miss the opening tie against PSG on Tuesday, April 29. The Ghana international has played a starring role for Arsenal this season, so .

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Interestingly, the Gunners boss appears to have already worked out how to navigate the team selection headache. Arteta dropped Partey from the starting line-up in Arsenal's 4-0 win over Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon, .

The latter repaid the Spaniard's faith, netting a brace. Speaking to reporters after the game, and whether he's ready to start against PSG.

"Yeah, he's certainly ready to play in any position," said the Arsenal boss. "We have to make certain adjustments, [Partey] and a few other players.

"But that's good because the team shows adaptability, versatility for certain players to play in different positions and that's very much needed, especially when we have the numbers that we have at the moment.:

On Merino returning to the middle of the park, Arteta added: "Yeah, well, that's where he's played his whole career. But obviously, we have a very short memory sometimes, and we see him as a nine and now it's almost strange to see him in midfield. I think he did really well."

On if he was worried when he saw Bukayo Saka go down in the first-half, Arteta said: "I do, especially with the numbers that we have right now and especially when they are back to goal, because normally it's the moment when the foot is planted, your weight is there, and you cannot really react to it, but he's fine."

The Arsenal boss added: "I haven't seen the slow-motion, I've just seen the normal pace image and yeah, he cuts him from the back. I don't think it's intentional at all, but it's dangerous because he cannot really react to anything, because you cannot see him coming."

On keeping his players fresh for the PSG clash, Arteta said: "We have to somehow put 11 players out there and have four or five changes, so let's see how they recover in the next few days.

"The good thing is they are willing to play because they like the rhythm as well. We are so used to that rhythm every three days that the boys are demanding and then we don't have a game at the weekend.

"So we have a gap there, so let's see how we get on on Wednesday..."