Arsenal

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Key midfielder Thomas Partey's one-game ban provides Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with the latest selection headache in a season riddled with similar issues.

The notion of heading into Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris St-Germain without the Ghanaian, who picked up a late booking against Real Madrid with the tie as good as over, rankled with Arteta, according to well-placed sources.

It is a clear dilemma to navigate, particularly given Arteta is already without both recognised centre-forwards in Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, and first-choice centre-back Gabriel.

The return to training of Mikel Merino, who missed the draw with Crystal Palace with injury, eases the predicament to a certain extent.

On Monday, Arteta maintained a cloak of uncertainty over whether Merino was fit enough to start against PSG, saying: "Ben [White] and Mikel, they were able to train. Let's see whether they are able to start."

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

The Spaniard has scored seven goals in 15 matches since his switch to an unfamiliar striker role - even for a genuine centre-forward, that is an encouraging return.

So the question is: does Merino return to his natural habitat in central midfield or continue as a makeshift striker in Partey, Havertz and Jesus' absence?

Without Partey, there appears clear reasoning towards reverting Merino to midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, especially with Jorginho unavailable because of a rib injury.

Moving Merino 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 is a switch Arteta is understood to have looked at in training in the build-up.

If Merino does play in midfield, Arteta would then need to decide whether to deploy him in a defensive or advanced position, though there is logic in using Rice as the deeper number six given his combative attributes.

Merino in midfield would open the door towards Leandro Trossard playing at centre-forward.

No Partey, no problem? Arteta and Arsenal will hope so.

Put yourself in Arteta's shoes - how would you cover for Partey's absence? Send us your team selections here

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Ben White's return to fitness comes as a timely defensive boost for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.

The versatile defender's season has been heavily disrupted by injuries, and he was rated as doubtful for the Paris St-Germain game by the Gunners manager after missing last week's draw with Crystal Palace.

As with Mikel Merino, Arteta was non-committal on Monday about whether White would be fit enough to start at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

But despite his return to training, you would imagine there is likely to be a temptation for Arteta to stick with the four-man defence of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly that restricted Real Madrid so stoutly in their quarter-final.

Image source, Getty Images

There are "definitely dents and chinks" in the armour of Paris St-Germain that Arsenal can exploit, says Gunners fan Rakeem Noble.

Arsenal host PSG on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final hoping to take a positive result to Paris next Wednesday.

Having comprehensively beaten defending champions Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-final, there is more confidence among fans than there may have been before that result.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Noble said: "It's a big game, big occasion, probably one of the biggest games of the past decade or so at the Emirates. There is no reason to be negative about this one.

"Last time, before the Real Madrid game, it was a bit shaky. Nobody was sure how it was going to go as the season wasn't looking great, but I feel like we have new life and new breath after that 5-1 aggregate win. We go to PSG now much more confident than last time.

"PSG have been a solid team throughout the year. They have won the French league, but then tell me a year that PSG haven't won the French League. At Champions League level, yes they beat Aston Villa first time around comfortably, but second time around I think they got the run around by Aston Villa.

"There is definitely dents and chinks in their armour that can be exploited. Looking at how Arsenal dealt with Madrid over the two legs - a comprehensive beating with 3-0 and 2-1 - if Arsenal go in with that kind of strength then I definitely believe they can get the job done.

"If you beat Real Madrid in the earlier stages then it gives you confidence you can go and beat anyone else."

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As Arsenal await their Tuesday showdown with Paris St-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals, we have entered 'what if' territory.

On the one hand, getting past the French champions will see Arsenal in their first Champions League final since 2006. Win that, and everything that has gone wrong this season will be forgotten.

I am, regrettably, a more pessimistic Arsenal fan. I have started catastrophising what will happen if Arsenal do finish this season without any silverware. Anxiety often gives us the false feeling of control, so here are a few of the worst case scenarios I have considered.

One of the biggest differences between Mikel Arteta's Arsenal and the one he inherited, is that there are now bona fide superstars in the squad.

Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Declan Rice are all showing they belong in the upper echelons of football.

But something worth having is also worth losing. Real Madrid have long been linked with Saliba. On Monday, rumours were swirling that Arsenal have locked in Saka's contract extension, but they will be aware that hanging on to their superstars will become increasingly difficult if success does not follow on the pitch. The vultures from La Liga and beyond are circling.

Another worry is that incoming players, previously believed to be buying into the Arteta 'process', will have concerns.

Arsenal have been on an upward trajectory, but with three second-place finishes in a row, you might argue they have peaked - and a stagnation, or worse a backwards step, is necessary to progress. That is a much harder sell to potential signings than a promising but nascent work in progress.

But this is not the week for catastrophising.

On Tuesday, Arsenal will be hoping to replicate what they did against Real Madrid as they face the French side. We will worry about next season after that because this one is not over yet.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Image source, Opta

The Opta supercomputer has made Arsenal favourites to win the Champions League.

The Gunners have been given a 56% chance of making it through their semi-final against Paris St-Germain and 32% of winning a potential final against Barcelona or Inter Milan.

The model estimates the probability of each match outcome by using betting market odds and the Opta Power Rankings, external.

It previously made Arsenal slight favourites to reach the semi-finals, external over Real Madrid - which was not universally agreed with by fans on this page.

Arsenal are considering a move for out-of-favour 27-year-old Chelsea and France forward Christopher Nkunku, as Mikel Arteta looks to add more attacking options this summer. (Teamtalk), external

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay says Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi's future will be resolved in June. The Gunners look ready to formally trigger the 26-year-old Spain midfielder's £51m release clause. (Radio Marca Donostia, via Mirror), external

Arsenal are ready to open discussions with the agent of 26-year-old Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres about a summer move. (Givemesport - subscription needed), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris St-Germain (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Thomas Partey is suspended and Arteta was upbeat on the fitness of Mikel Merino and Ben White, with the pair able to train on Monday. Riccardo Calafiori has been unable to train.

• Discussing what is a seismic occasion for the Gunners, Arteta said: "This is a moment to say this is who we are as a team. To play with that mindset. Now is about where are the limits, and how far is it where I want to go. Incredible opportunity. We are here to make people happy, to create history and make it happen. Now we are very close. You sense it, the enthusiasm and that is something unique. Full of energy, enthusiasm and cannot wait to play the game."

• Arteta says he wants even "more" from fans, adding: "Tomorrow more! Bring your boots, your shirts, let's play every ball together. I really hope that everyone comes tomorrow and gives their all!"

• On going through tough times during his spell at Arsenal to get to this point, Arteta said: "I hoped and dreamed and put all my work effort and the support of a lot of people at the club to achieve it. Those days were necessary. To have sense and achieve what you want to do you have to learn. This is where we are right now and now we have to make the next step."

• The Spaniard however doesn't think his side are favourites for the Champions League, stating: "When you look at the history I think no because we've never done it. Hopefully if someone believes we can do it is because of performances and what the team generated against big opposition."

• He called on his side to feel a "conviction" around the tie so they can generate "energy" that can prove "key". He said his side played with a critical "belief and determination" when they overcame PSG in the league phase of the competition.

• Asked if he could learn from Aston Villa's second-leg win over PSG, Arteta said: "Yes obviously you learn a lot from every game, it's different. The contexts. I take a lot from the game we played here, we know how strong they are."

• Quizzed on if attacking the French side is the best strategy, he said: "Well, I think you see it first-hand, when we played them before. The way we play every week, that's not going to change. We are good in different contexts and we've shown that again this season."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has insisted the Gunners are "ready" to face Paris Saint-Germain and can go all the way in the Champions League.

Arsenal will face the Ligue 1 champions for the second time in the competition this campaign when they welcome them to the Emirates for their semi-final first leg on Tuesday, having won 2-0 at home in the league phase in October.

It is the first time the Gunners have reached this stage of the competition since 2008-09.

"It's going to be a different story tomorrow [against PSG]. They are a great side with great players," Martinelli told a news conference.

"We've got an amazing team and we're going to go to the game with one mentality.

"I think they've changed a little bit [since October]. We've lost some good players because of injuries, but we don't think so much about them, we play for Arsenal - we're ready.

"It's an opportunity for us [to reach the final]. Everyone would love to play this type of game.

"This club deserves to have it [this trophy] and we're really happy to be involved in this moment. We believe we can win it, it's an amazing thing that we can bring to the club."

Martinelli has been with the club for six years and has two years left on his current contract.

Reflecting on his journey so far and his future with Arsenal, the Brazil international said: "I always said that I'm really happy here. This is my home. I love to be here. I love the club. The club has given me so much, not just on the pitch but off it.

"It's been an amazing journey for me. Not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well.

"When I got here we were playing in the Europa League and now we're in the semi-final of the Champions League."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for you to tell us one thing that no one is talking about - but should be - at Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Rob: Many will talk about the injuries, which played a big part. I feel like there was also a bit of a physical and mental hangover at the start of the season from last year's run which took us so close. A fresher team next year, a few recruited, and possibly the momentum of a strong Champions League campaign and they will be ready to go.

Rachel: I think there is a discussion to be had around the Arsenal club captaincy. I wonder if Martin Odegaard is tough enough. He seems to have had several quiet matches where he doesn't make an impact and I'm not sure his personality is forceful enough. When I think back to Patrick Vieira, there's no contest.

Ian: We are terrible at selling players for market value and have been overpaying our players for years. Fans are having to pay the price for this economic failure (again) with season ticket price rises coming once more next season at a time of financial uncertainty for most families.

Robert: I'm afraid Mikel Arteta has cloned us into a Gareth Southgate team of safety-first football. There's not enough creativity in midfield and even if we had a proper centre-forward I'm not convinced we would have won the title.

Guy: I think the biggest thing this summer will be Arsenal keeping hold of their best players. We have seen in the past where players leave to actually win silverware. Players like Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie all left because they wanted titles and trophies. Too many seasons with nothing to show will mean that players like Gabriel, William Saliba, Ben White and Declan Rice may start looking for greener pastures.

Arsenal will compete with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City for Turkey international forward Kenan Yildiz from Juventus. (Caught Offside, external)

Meanwhile, Juventus are turning their attention to Arsenal's Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares, 25, who is on loan at Lazio. (Sun, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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So the Premier League title is all but done, leaving Arsenal with a big test to come in Europe.

But we know the obvious angles and narratives, so give us a peek behind the curtain. You know your club best, tell us the one thing that no-one is talking about at Arsenal but really should be.

Let us know here

Arsenal are at an advanced stage in negotiations to sign Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 26, who has a 60m euros (£51.2m) release clause in his contract. (ESPN, external)

Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, 25, has suffered four injuries on loan with Sevilla this season and is set to return to Arsenal in the summer, with the La Liga club unlikely to exercise their £10.25m option to buy. (Mirror, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on why Arsenal have not been able to get over the line and win the Premier League this season.

Here are some of your comments:

NM: Our transfer/loan strategy has primarily let us down. I think Edu and Arteta were the only people on the planet who didn't think our number one priority last summer should have been a striker. We should have held on to Smith-Rowe or Nketiah, offloaded Jesus and gone hard for a proper striker to work with Havertz. And don't get me started on Sterling - dead weight.

Raymond: Arsenal squad not big enough and prone to injuries. Once results became inconsistent so did the players' attitudes. They raise their game for Champions League but not anymore for Premier League. Need to start again next season with better players.

Nigel: Some of the players have a lack of concentration at key moments. A lack of a quality striker and unfit lesser strikers have also not helped. Mentality is weak and needs to improve in some of the players. On the plus side we have a good crop of youngsters coming through and Arteta needs to utilise them more next season.

Andy: Never had the self-belief to win games in open-play. Too many times this season, Arsenal faked injuries and wasted time when 1-0 up, rather than pushing for another goal. Too reliant and focused on winning free kicks and corners. They didn't believe they were good enough, and it turns out they weren't.

• Not an Arsenal fan? Find and follow your club here

William: Arteta, Arteta, Arteta, Arteta, Arteta. Enough said.

Jim: Too many injuries throughout the season. First Odegaard, then Saka, then Havertz out for so long. Clearly a striker is needed but they must fit into the way Arsenal play. Havertz is not a centre forward and plays as an attacking forward. Arsenal need just one or two players to win the league. Lastly, too much reliance on Saka both this season and last. He plays too much and tires towards the end of the season. Trossard continues to be a great buy.

Paulo: We haven't been helped by a number of controversial decisions but ultimately squad depth, particularly in the forward line, has meant we had few options when the injuries came. Poor planning on Arsenal's part but I also wonder how much financial fair play rules restricted what we could do when we needed. If you look at Arteta though, he's not used any of that as an excuse and is all for him and the players available taking accountability.

Jim: It looks like we have gone backwards this season, but we've lost the same amount of games as Liverpool over all competitions. The loss of our entire front-line for a fair part of the season hasn't helped, but the striker issue has been the most pivotal in my opinion. We should have bought a striker last season, let alone in this season's January window, and it might have been the difference between the draws and a win. Champions League still a possibility though so it could be worse.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

What is the best way to miss out on a title?

This is a question I've been asking myself this morning after last night's 2-2 home draw to Crystal Palace, in which Arsenal twice surrendered the lead. A point on Sunday will see Liverpool win the Premier League at Anfield.

In the cold light of day, this has been an unconvincing title challenge from Arsenal. Last night's draw was the ninth time Arsenal have drawn a match from a winning position. Injuries to key players have been brutal, but 13 draws is well below what I expected from Mikel Arteta's side this season.

But this is also a campaign that has had some incredible highs. A 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City and another double over North London rivals Tottenham to name just a couple. It is therefore even more frustrating that these big moments have failed to translate into any consistency or momentum. This has been a season of very high highs barely masking disappointing but not necessarily dramatic failures.

Back to the original question then. As a fan, there is something more satisfying about bowing out of a title race in a blaze of glory. Perhaps conceding a last minute goal that finally hands the league to a rival. This time around, Liverpool will be worthy title winners, but Arsenal have played their part. There has been no blaze of glory or spectacular failure, just a slow and inevitable slip into second.

The saving grace is that Arsenal still have a semi-final against Paris St. Germain in the Champions League to prepare for. But in the Premier League, the remaining silver lining is that it will likely be Tottenham who get the front row seat to Liverpool's celebrations. Slim pickings to cap-off an underwhelming season.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

So, after Arsenal's draw against Crystal Palace, Liverpool need just a point from their final five fixtures to confirm their Premier League title win.

In truth, it has been a matter of time until the Gunners were mathematically out of the title race, but a run of just four wins from nine games has accelerated the process as Mikel Arteta's side focus their attentions on the Champions League.

You have been watching the team closer than anyone this season.

So tell us simply, why have they not been able to get it done in the Premier League?

Let us know here

And if you want to make it easier, choose from our suggestions over here

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

With Liverpool on the brink of winning the Premier League before the end of April, BBC Sport has looked back at five pivotal games that cost Arsenal the title.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal 1-1 Brighton (31 August 2024)

This was the match that foreshadowed much of what would hinder Arsenal for the rest of the season. The Gunners took the lead through Kai Havertz and looked on course to continue their perfect start to the season before Declan Rice picked up a needless second yellow card for kicking the ball away - see Leandro Trossard two games later at Manchester City - before Joao Pedro levelled in the second half. Arsenal have gone on to top the league in red cards (five) and have drawn nine games from winning positions - the most of any team since 2008.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth 2-0 Arsenal (19 October 2024)

Another red card cost Arsenal as their October trip to the south coast ended in their first defeat of the season. William Saliba was dismissed in the first half before two late goals gave impressive Bournemouth victory. Mikel Arteta was without the injured Bukayo Saka, whose longer absence later in the campaign would cost the Gunners further.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal (2 November 2024)

Newcastle came into this game in 10th and without a win in five Premier League games but dominated Arsenal in the early kick-off at St James' Park. The result allowed Liverpool to open up an eight-point gap at the top after the Reds had rescued a point at Emirates Stadium the previous weekend.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa (18 January 2025)

After defeat to Newcastle in November, Arsenal would not lose again until late February. In this time, however, they drew five times, the last of which against Aston Villa feeling the most damaging. The Gunners led 2-0 at the hour mark but conceded twice in eight minutes, before seeing a late Kai Havertz strike ruled out for handball, missing the chance to move within four points of the top.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham (22 February 2025)

Arsenal's most recent defeat felt terminal. Arteta's team could have closed the gap to Liverpool to five points with 12 games to go and put pressure on the Reds' visit to Manchester City. Instead, they struggled at home against lowly West Ham and had their misery compounded by Myles Lewis-Skelly's second-half red card. In the league, the Gunners have not fully recovered, drawing five of their eight league matches since.

Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace was the ninth game this season in which Arsenal have led but gone on to draw.

The Gunners took the lead twice in the first-half but were pegged back by the Eagles who claimed a point through Jean-Phillipe Mateta's fine late equaliser.

The nine occasions Arsenal have drawn matches in which they have led is the most by a team in a single campaign since north London rivals Tottenham in 2007-08 (also nine).

Interestingly, despite Liverpool's huge lead at the top of the table, Mikel Arteta's side have only lost three games this season - two fewer than last season - but have drawn 13 times, which is eight more than last year.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Arsenal drew with Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Here are some of your comments:

Alan: We might have had 11 bodies on the pitch, but their minds were elsewhere. It was sloppy at the back and blunt up front. There was a little too much champagne football in our defensive third against a spirited Palace forward line.

Kevin: We were lazy, sloppy and got what we deserved. Playing negatively and having a negative mindset causes severe problems.

Ian: Absolute garbage. It was boring football, with too much sideways passing in defence, which ultimately led to a gift of a goal for Palace. They need to move the ball from back to front much quicker if they want to get to the Champions League final. A very disappointing performance.

• Not an Arsenal fan? Find and follow your club here

Rachel: Exactly the kind of half-cooked performance that has got us where we are this season. Boring, boring Arsenal. Too many players are off their game and looking like they have already started their summer holidays. This type of match has become so typical at this time of the season, sadly. Hugely disappointing.

Roy: Forgivable as Paris St-Germain is around the corner, but it wasn't to our usual standard. Martin Odegaard didn't play as well as he usually does, and one can only hope that William Saliba will not make such an error against PSG!

Mike: I cannot believe that was Arsenal trying to win a game. There was constant side and back passing plus little attempt to push to score. PSG and Liverpool must have been laughing all evening.