Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Faced With Selection Headache Ahead of PSG Clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Faced With Selection Headache Ahead of PSG Clash

Stephen Awino 06:46 - 24.04.2025

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a facing a fresh selection headache with key players in a race against time to be fit for the PSG clash.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is faced with a fresh selection headache ahead of their PSG clash on Tuesday.

This follows Arsenal's 2-2 stalemate with Crystal Palace on Thursday at the Emirates.

The clash has left the Gunners in a race against time to get key players fit for their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash.

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What Happened?

Arsenal manager visibly frustrated on the touch-line against Real Madrid, his side take on PSG next.
Arsenal manager visibly frustrated on the touch-line against Real Madrid, his side take on PSG next.

Arsenal surrendered the lead twice as Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta canceled out Jakub Kiwior's and Leandro Trossard's goals.

However, it was not just the draw that pushed league leaders Liverpool closer to the title that was solely worrying.

The absence of defender Ben White and makeshift striker Mikel Merino has raised concerns, with boss Mikel Arteta declining to comment on what their injuries were.

"We will have to wait and see, as they were not able to be in the squad here," said Arteta as per BBC Sports when asked if they would be fit to face PSG on Tuesday.

Selection Headache for Mikel Arteta

Mikel Merino in action for Arsenal against PSG on October 1, 2024 (Credit: Imago)

The pair are an integral part of Arsenal's campaign, especially midfielder Mikel Merino, who has taken well to his new role as a makeshift striker.

The midfielder scored in their 3-0 first-leg win over Madrid as the Gunners took a much-needed advantage into their second-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu, eventually winning 5-1 on aggregate.

That win set up Tuesday’s clash, and now Arteta faces a fresh selection headache with two of his strikers—Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus—already out for the remainder of the season.

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