Arsenal vs PSG injury and suspension latest as nine players could miss huge Champions League clash

Beating one of Europe’s most exciting, young sides was already looking like a tall order for Mikel Arteta’s but taking a look at the the match and the Gunners’ challenge looks even harder.

To add to their issues, they will face a fully operational Paris Saint-Germain side, who will have the entirety of their first team squad available.

Wrapping up the Ligue 1 title with six games to spare, Luis Enrique has been able to rotate his squad in recent weeks. This means that despite Nice ending their 30-match unbeaten streak last Friday, the Parisiens travel to the Emirates Stadium with an empty injury list.

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The French champions also have no suspensions to worry about alongside their clean bill of health.

In contrast, have suffered a season heavily disrupted by injuries, and preparation for their first semi-final since 2009 has been no different.

Gabriel Magalhaes , Takehiro Tomiyasu , and Gabriel Jesus have already been ruled out until next season, and while Arteta has hinted at the prospect of Kai Havertz featuring towards the end of the season, both legs of the PSG tie will come too early.

On the German, Arteta said: “Semi-finals? I think that’s too close. But if I had to bet on him earlier than expected, I would say yes.”

Mikel Arteta will also have a headache working out his midfield line up for the fixture.

Jorginho has missed the last three matchday squads since picking up a rib injury against Brentford earlier this month. Speaking after Wednesday’s draw with Crystal Palace, Arteta said the Italian would be out for “a few weeks,” meaning this Tuesday’s clash will be too soon.

Thomas Partey is also out of the first leg, having picked up a needless yellow card late on at the Bernabeu in the quarter-final win over Real Madrid.

Following his successful stint as a makeshift striker, Mikel Merino could be Arteta’s preferred option. A midfield three of Rice, Merino and Odegaard worked well against Ipswich during the 4-0 win at Portman Road, though.

However, the 28-year-old was a surprise omission from the squad for the midweek visit from Crystal Palace, throwing his involvement in the PSG match into doubt.

Arteta was tight-lipped on what kept him out of the fixture, but there’s hope that his absence was not the result of an issue that will stop him playing on Tuesday.

If Jorginho, Partey and Merino are out, who will Arteta turn to? Myles Lewis-Skelly played his entire youth career in the centre of midfield before being integrated into the first team as a left-back and could be a viable option. The 18-year-old has looked unfazed with whatever has been thrown at him this season whether for his club or country.

Ben White is another who missed out against Crystal Palace. Having his minutes managed after knee surgery earlier on in the season, he played the full 90 minutes against Ipswich but suffered what Arteta called an “issue” afterwards.

In more promising news there could be a return to the squad for Riccardo Calafiori , who has been out since suffering a knee injury during March’s international break. While still a doubt, Arteta may at least be able to call on the Italian from the bench against PSG, potentially adding some much-needed depth to a threadbare defence.

The collection of injuries mean that Arteta will have up to nine players unavailable for the first leg of the tie, or six if Merino, White and Calafiori are available.

While the list of unavailable players makes for grim reading, not all hope is lost for the Gunners. With the title now Liverpool’s, Arsenal will have full focus on the Champions League and had a similarly busy treatment room prior to the Real Madrid matches.