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Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has given a mixed injury update. This comes before Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium. Riccardo Calafiori remains out, but Mikel Merino and Ben White might return to play.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal got good and bad news about injuries just one day before their Champions League match against PSG. Arteta said in his pre-match press conference that Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori “is still not fit” and will not play. But, there is good news too. Midfielder Mikel Merino and defender Ben White trained on Monday. Arteta said: “Mikel Merino and Ben White trained with us today. Let’s see if they can start tomorrow.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal has many injury problems as they get ready for a big match. Gabriel Magalhaes is out for the season after hamstring surgery. He got hurt against Fulham. He hopes to be back at the start of the 2025/26 season. Kai Havertz has been out since February because of a hamstring injury. He needed surgery. At first, he thought he would miss the rest of the season, but Arteta thinks he might return before the season ends.
Arsenal will also be without Thomas Partey for Tuesday’s match. He is suspended after getting a yellow card against Real Madrid in the quarter-final. Gabriel Jesus is another long-term absentee. He had knee surgery and will not be back until late 2025. Jorginho and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also still out.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Arsenal will play PSG at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. It promises to be an exciting Champions League semi-final first leg. Arsenal is confident after beating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. But they have to deal with injuries. PSG, on the other hand, reportedly has no injury problems. This is a big chance for Arteta to win a European trophy after losing the Premier League title to Liverpool this season.
If White and Merino play, it will be a big boost for Arsenal. Both missed last week’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace but seem to be fit at the right time. After the PSG match, Arsenal needs to stay focused on both league and European games as the season reaches its most important weeks.
