The biggest challenge for Mikel Arteta going into this match was how to adjust his lineup in the absence of suspended midfielder Thomas Partey.
The 31-year-old is a critical part of Arsenal’s midfield. He received a cheap yellow card in the final minutes of the quarter-final match against Real Madrid, which resulted in his suspension for this game.
Given the injuries affecting Arsenal and Mikel Merino’s recent role as a central striker, Partey’s absence forced Arteta to rearrange his team. Merino moved back to his natural midfield position.
Declan Rice shifted deeper into a defensive midfielder role, moving away from the attacking role in which he had delivered two player-of-the-match performances against Real Madrid. Leandro Trossard stepped in as the striker.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) dominated from the start of the match, holding 75% possession in the first 15 minutes and taking the lead in the fourth minute with a goal from Ousmane Dembélé.
Dembélé frequently drifted into the space between Arsenal’s backline and midfield, leading to the opening goal as he exploited that gap.
Arteta will be left wondering if Partey’s presence in the lineup could have prevented Dembélé from receiving the ball and setting up PSG’s first goal.
Partey has been in excellent form recently and will be vital for Arsenal in the upcoming match as they look to overturn this defeat and progress to the final.
