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| Thomas Partey to Miss Arsenal vs PSG in Champions League Semifinal: A Major Setback for the Gunners. |
Arsenal fans have been hit with a dose of unfortunate news ahead of the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League semifinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Midfield anchor Thomas Partey will miss the first leg due to a suspension, a significant blow for the Gunners as they prepare for one of their biggest matches of the season.
Arsenal Cruise Past Real Madrid in Quarterfinals
Arsenal secured a historic spot in the semifinals after an impressive performance against Spanish giants Real Madrid. The North London club stunned everyone with a dominant 3-0 victory in the first leg at Emirates Stadium, thanks to two quick free-kick goals from Declan Rice. The early lead gave them a huge advantage going into the second leg.
In the return fixture in Madrid, Arsenal continued to impress. They maintained control, frustrated the opposition, and eventually finished the tie with a 5-1 aggregate win. It was a statement of intent from Mikel Arteta’s side, who have grown in confidence and maturity throughout this European campaign.
Partey’s Suspension: A Costly Moment
However, the quarterfinal win came with an unfortunate twist. Late in the second leg, Thomas Partey received a yellow card after getting involved in an unnecessary confrontation following a foul by Antonio Rudiger on Mikel Merino. While Arsenal had the game firmly in hand at that point, the incident left a sour note.
That yellow card was Partey's third in this season’s Champions League, triggering an automatic one-match suspension. What makes it more frustrating is that all three bookings came in his last three European games, after going eight matches earlier in the competition without a single card.
Partey played every minute of the quarterfinal tie and was a key figure in midfield, helping break up Madrid’s attacks and transitioning the ball forward. His absence in the first leg against PSG will be a tough one to absorb.
Midfield Options: Jorginho or Zinchenko?
With Partey sidelined, Arsenal will need to reshuffle their midfield. The most likely replacement would be Jorginho, a seasoned Champions League player. However, Jorginho is currently recovering from a rib injury he sustained during last weekend’s Premier League match against Brentford.
If Jorginho is not match-fit in time, Mikel Arteta might consider moving Oleksandr Zinchenko into the midfield role. While Zinchenko usually plays as a left-back, his technical ability and passing range make him a potential option in central midfield.
Arsenal has 12 days to prepare before facing PSG in the first leg, giving their medical team some time to work on Jorginho’s recovery. Nevertheless, losing Partey will force Arteta to rethink his game plan against the French powerhouse.
Rice Cleared to Play After VAR Reversal
On the bright side, Declan Rice will be available for the semifinal. The English midfielder was also on the verge of suspension, having picked up two yellow cards in earlier matches. During the game against Madrid, Rice was shown what appeared to be a third yellow after a challenge on Kylian Mbappe in the penalty area.
Thankfully for Arsenal, VAR intervened. After a lengthy review, the penalty decision was overturned and the yellow card rescinded. This means Rice remains eligible to face PSG—a huge relief for Arsenal supporters.
UEFA’s Updated Rules Help Teams in the Final Stretch
According to UEFA’s updated rules, all accumulated yellow cards are wiped clean after the quarterfinals. That means no player will miss the final due to yellow card accumulation from the semifinal round. Only a straight red card can result in suspension for the final. This rule change is designed to ensure teams have their best players available for the biggest matches.
Thomas Partey’s suspension is a significant challenge for Arsenal, but it doesn’t end their hopes. With strong depth in midfield and a few tactical adjustments, Arteta’s side still has what it takes to compete toe-to-toe with PSG. The good news is that key player Declan Rice will be available, and the rest of the squad is looking sharp and confident.
As Arsenal fans look ahead to the semifinal showdown, all eyes will be on how the Gunners adapt without Partey—and whether they can keep their dream of Champions League glory alive.
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