Arsenal is set to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday (April 29).
This is Arsenal’s first return to the UCL semi-finals since the 2008-09 season. PSG, meanwhile, will aim to reach their second Champions League final in the past five years.
Arsenal heads into this semi-final against PSG with impressive recent form. In the quarter-finals, they dominated Real Madrid with a 5-1 aggregate triumph. Declan Rice was vital, netting two direct free-kicks in the first leg, while Mikel Merino also found the net in that game. Bukayo Saka contributed significantly too, scoring in the second leg to help finish the job. Yet, manager Mikel Arteta must manage several injuries and suspensions within his squad.
PSG are also in excellent form and have defeated Liverpool and Aston Villa en route to the semi-finals. However, unlike the Gunners, they are free from any injury concerns or suspensions.
Arsenal vs PSG: Who Are the Key Players Who Will Miss the UCL Semi-final?
Arsenal will miss several players in this critical fixture. Gabriel Jesus (Knee), Riccardo Calafiori (Knee), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Knee) have been out with injuries for a considerable period. However, in encouraging news, Mikel Merino and Ben White have returned to training and are expected to be in contention for selection against PSG. Their inclusion adds much-needed reinforcement to Arsenal’s midfield and defensive lines.
Here is the list of four key injured Arsenal players who will be unavailable against Paris Saint-Germain-
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey will miss the first leg of the semi-final due to yellow card accumulation in the Champions League. He received his third caution during the quarter-final tie against Real Madrid, which automatically triggered a one-match suspension. UEFA rules declare that yellow cards are cleared after the quarter-finals, but Partey’s booking came just before this rule took effect, making him ineligible for this game. His absence will require Mikel Arteta to reshuffle midfield options, likely relying on players such as Declan Rice and Mikel Merino.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Magalhaes, a vital part of Arsenal’s defensive unit, is unavailable due to a hamstring injury suffered in a Premier League clash with Fulham in April. This injury has ended his season early, removing a reliable and consistent presence from the back line. Gabriel’s loss is especially significant given his strong form and leadership. His absence adds more pressure to an already stretched Arsenal defence heading into this high-stakes tie.
Jorginho
Midfielder Jorginho is currently sidelined with a chest injury that has kept him out of the lineup since the start of the month. The veteran Italian’s experience and calmness in the midfield have been sorely missed, particularly in important fixtures like the upcoming semi-final. Although no clear return date has been given, his absence forces Arteta to rethink the midfield structure and rotation.
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz picked up a major hamstring injury during a February training session in Dubai. He suffered the injury while trying to block a shot, which led to a torn hamstring requiring surgical intervention. Havertz has been ruled out for the rest of this season, and his recovery is expected to continue through the summer. His absence is a significant blow to Arsenal’s offence, as he leads the team’s scoring chart with 15 goals across all competitions.
The missing presence of midfielders like Partey and Jorginho could lead Arteta to alter his tactical setup, with Declan Rice potentially taking a deeper role in midfield. The returns of Merino and White offer some tactical relief, though Arsenal’s overall depth will be severely tested against a strong PSG team. Regardless of these challenges, Arsenal’s recent performancesespecially the emphatic win over Real Madridhighlight their grit and flexibility. The coming semi-final is set to be a major test of both squad depth and tactical resilience.