Arsenal face a significant challenge going into their Champions League semi-final against PSG, with Thomas Partey suspended for the first leg. Partey’s absence is a major blow for Mikel Arteta, considering how crucial he is to the team’s midfield stability.
On The Rest is Football podcast, Alan Shearer suggested that Arteta might shift Mikel Merino into midfield to fill the gap, with Declan Rice dropping into a deeper role. While that could work, it would likely reduce Rice’s influence going forward. His ability to drive through midfield and break lines is a key part of Arsenal’s attacking threat—something Merino doesn’t replicate as effectively.
An alternative could be keeping Merino in a more advanced position and bringing in Myles Lewis-Skelly as the holding midfielder. This would allow Rice to maintain his box-to-box role. With Riccardo Calafiori likely returning at left-back, this setup might offer better balance both defensively and in midfield.
Arteta now faces a crucial choice: place his faith in the young Lewis-Skelly or opt for a safer, more experienced reshuffle.
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