3 reasons why Arsenal can pull off a Champions League comeback against PSG

  • Arsenal travel to PSG on Wednesday night
  • Les Parisiens hold a 1-0 first-leg advantage
  • The Gunners retain a chance of UCL progression
Arsenal can book their place in the Champions League final this week
Arsenal can book their place in the Champions League final this week | GLYN KIRK/GettyImages
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2. Impact of Thomas Partey return

Arsenal FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League
Thomas Partey missed the first leg due to suspension | Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages

More has been said about the absence of Thomas Partey last week than was ever said about his on-field contributions.

His silly caution versus Real Madrid had a big impact on Arsenal. Not only did Arteta lose a top player for the second leg, but he also needed to rehouse Mikel Merino in midfield and put Leandro Trossard up front with Declan Rice occupying the #6 position.

It was a major reshuffle which incurred negative effects: Trossard offered no physical test for the PSG defence (as Merino might have done) and Rice could not dictate play from deep amid intense French pressure.

That all changes here. Now, Partey has served his ban and will allow Merino to become our CF again, while Rice will likely feature in the LCM role. It means Arsenal might be able to find more gears than last week via a midfield rebalance and, thus, better position themselves for the second leg where all onus and expectation lies with the home team.

Partey brings a huge boost and the Gunners need to make it count.  

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