Partey received a yellow card in the 85th minute of the 2-1 win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu for dissent, after arguing with the referee following a foul on Merino.

It was his third in the competition, resulting in a one-match ban.

As you can see below, Rice was *not* happy with Partey for getting himself in the book.

Image source, Getty Images

Should Arteta drop Merino into a deeper role tonight after his recent success up front?

How can Arsenal replace Partey? Is Trossard up front the answer?

Gooners, let us know by getting in touch.

Image source, Getty Images

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Without Partey, there appears clear reasoning towards reverting Merino to his usual role alongside Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard in the middle of the park, especially with Jorginho unavailable with a rib injury.

Moving Merino, who stands at 6ft 2ins, further back could be key towards placating the threat posed by PSG’s expected midfield triumvirate of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, certainly without the physical presence of Partey.

It’s a switch Arteta is understood to have looked at in training in the build up to tonight’s clash.

If Merino does play in midfield, it remains to be seen whether Arteta uses his countryman in a defensive or advanced position, though there is logic in deploying Rice in the deeper No 6 role given the England man’s combative attributes.

Merino in midfield would open the door towards Leandro Trossard, who has started three of Arsenal’s last four matches in the No 9 position, playing at centre-forward.

Belgium international Trossard is in good goalscoring form, notching four goals in his previous six games.

Image source, Getty Images

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

The idea of heading into tonight’s crucial encounter without Partey represents a clear dilemma for Arteta to navigate, particularly given he is already without both of his team’s recognised centre-forwards in Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus and first-choice centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes.

The return to training of Mikel Merino, who missed last Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace due to an injury, eases Arteta’s predicament to a certain extent.

Speaking on Monday night, Arteta said: “Ben [White] and Mikel, they were able to train. Let’s see whether they are able to start tomorrow.”

Nevertheless, there is hope Arteta will be able to call on Merino from the start at the Emirates Stadium tonight.

Merino has scored seven goals in 15 matches since his switch to an unfamiliar central striker role in the wake of Havertz’s hamstring surgery that has threatened to rule him out of the entire season. Even for a genuine centre-forward, that’s an encouraging return.

So the question is: does the Spain international play in his natural habitat in central midfield or continue in his role as a makeshift striker in Partey, Havertz and Jesus’ absence?

Image source, Getty Images

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

No sooner had Mikel Arteta finished celebrating with his players on the hallowed Bernabeu turf after his team comprehensively dismantled the European champions by an aggregate score of 5-1 did the Gunners manager turn his attentions to the prospect of facing Paris Saint-Germain without lynchpin midfielder Thomas Partey.

The notion of heading into the clash without the Ghana international, who picked up a late booking against Carlo Ancelotti’s team to trigger a suspension when the tie was as good as over, according to well-placed sources, rankled with Arteta.

Partey’s one-game ban provides manager Arteta with the latest selection headache in a season riddled with issues.

Image source, Getty Images

Not for the first time this season, Arteta will have to get creative to deal with some key absences this evening.

The main one? The suspension of Thomas Partey.

So, what will they do?

If you're just joining us, here's what we've covered so far this morning - follow the links if you need to catch up!

• Arteta's rallying cry to fans
• Luis Enrique on PSG's transformation
• Arsenal team news
• The teams: then v now
• Focus - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
• Focus - Desire Doue
• 'They are young and have a lot of intensity'

There's plenty more still to come, as we take a deeper look into how Partey's absence may affect Arsenal, Barcelona vs Inter Milan and we get your thoughts on a combined XI between Arsenal and PSG.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Ousmane Dembele's redemption arc and the emergence of Desire Doue has taken the spotlight off Bradley Barcola somewhat.

The 22-year-old Frenchman enjoyed a blistering start to the season, scoring 10 goals in PSG's opening 11 Ligue 1 games.

Manchester City felt the full force of his talent as he scored and assisted in PSG's 4-2 win in January.

In all competitions he has scored 18 goals and provided 16 assists, though the January arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has reduced his share of starting minutes on the left of the attacking trio.

Barcola has gone 10 games without a goal, and could well start Tuesday's game on the bench. If that's the case, then expect Luis Enrique to turn to his winger's pace and trickery the second Arsenal's defence begins to tire.

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

I've only just realised Steve and Will pointed to two different comments too.

It's ruined the reply that I'd set myself up for. It's all gone wrong.

In conclusion, nobody knows who you were replying to though, sorry Anon.

MOVING ON...

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

If there is one player Arsenal really need to keep quiet on Tuesday, then it's Ousmane Dembele.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed his best season by far since his failed £135.5m move from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona in 2017, so much so that he will be in the Ballon d'Or conversation.

Dembele has scored 32 goals and provided 10 assists in 44 games in all competitions this season, though he is currently experiencing a dip in form.

The French World Cup winner has scored just two goals in his last seven outings, with both coming against second division opposition in the Coupe de France.

That said, you wouldn't bet against him causing Arsenal's back line problems at the Emirates.

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

I read this at first and started flapping wondering what silly thing I'd gone and done now but then realised it wasn't aimed at me. Makes a change.

However I have read my fellow Ben's post at 7:58 and you've confused me, Anon.

He was suggesting Arsenal had knocked the best team in the competition out - not that they hadn't beaten anyone of significance. The exact opposite!

I shall defend you, fellow Ben.

Matthew Upson
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

PSG's energy has been remarkable, certainly not the trait you’d associate with PSG teams in the past.

The way they get after the ball, make tackles, running out of possession. I think it’s going to be a fantastic game and hopefully really entertaining.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia does things that are highly unusual at times, he’s super positive, very agresive with his decision making when he goes at players.

He looks ways to casual [with his socks rolled down], he lures you in to thinking he's having a quiet time!

PSG have hit a funny little patch, they are maybe not quite the force that turned up at Liverpool, in terms of how they are performing week in week out.

They’ve had a bit of a dip, Dembele isn't banging the goals in every time he's in front of goal. But he’s had an exceptional season converted into that central role.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Nobody really saw Desire Doue reaching the heights he has done at PSG after making a £43m move from Rennes last summer, but maybe they should have done.

After all, his name translates to 'desire gifted' in English.

The 19-year-old has certainly shown his quality in the Champions League this season - he was brilliant in PSG's 4-2 defeat of Manchester City in January, scored the decisive penalty in the shootout win against Liverpool in March, and scored a stunning equaliser while running Aston Villa ragged in the quarter-final first leg.

With 13 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season, Doue is well on the way to becoming one of the best attackers on the planet.

Arsenal beware.

Image source, Getty Images

Julien Laurens
European football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

The PSG team has been this good so far because they are pulling away from signing the marquee signings, the big egos. They are looking at how to build a team rather than just adding individual talents. This team is so good because of that. They're young, they have a lot of intensity. They play some lovely football and that is why people like them, which is new because people didn't like PSG before.

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shot to fame during Napoli's historic Serie A triumph in 2022-23, but in January this year he decided to take the next step in his career by joining Paris St-Germain.

The Georgian winger has started 17 of the 21 games he has been involved in since his move - reportedly worth £59m plus add-ons - while his impact on the pitch has been greater than his modest goals and assists (four and five in all competitions respectively) suggests.

His energy, direct dribbling ability and creativity on the ball are his greatest strengths, while his cannon of a right foot has left many goalkeepers helpless.

Still only 24 years old, Kvara looks set to get even better in Paris.

Image source, Getty Images