It was well documented before Arsenal faced Paris Saint-Germain that Thomas Partey’s absence would be an issue.
Despite his poor injury record in recent seasons, Partey has been an ever-present for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal this season.
The 31-year-old has made 47 appearances across all competitions and as a result, Arsenal might give Partey a new contract.
Previously it was believed that both Partey and Jorginho would be allowed to walk away for free, but Andrea Berta’s arrival has seemingly inspired a change of mind when it comes to the former.
That being said, Arteta chose to bring Leandro Trossard into his starting eleven to indirectly replace Partey against PSG on Tuesday and ultimately it was a mistake.
Mikel Arteta made a mistake starting Leandro Trossard
Individually Trossard didn’t play poorly at all — the Belgian dovetailed with Mikel Merino effectively at times and Arsenal’s defeat wasn’t down to his attacking contributions.
But Arteta still made a mistake and Merino should have been Arsenal’s number nine against PSG.
READ MORE: PSG’s Vitinha says Arsenal have a ‘good player’ after facing the Gunners in the Champions League
The Gunners had no striker to target with long balls throughout and Merino’s attacking contributions were stifled.
Instead, Arsenal would have been better served starting Ben White at right-back and then shuffling one or two positions.
Arteta could have moved Jurrien Timber to left-back and Myles Lewis-Skelly could have thrived in midfield — the position he’s played throughout his time in the Hale End Academy.
White might not have lasted 90 minutes given his recent injury, but Trossard could have them come on and Arsenal could have reverted to the line up that Arteta instead decided to start with.
PSG overran Arsenal’s midfield and Lewis-Skelly could have made a real difference with his physicality, even if it’s not a position he’s often played in senior football.
Thomas Partey will be vital in Paris
Of course, it’s looking like an easy choice for Arteta when it comes to his starting eleven in Paris.
Partey will be back available and Declan Rice will be able to return to his number eight role where he’s become surprisingly more effective.
Perhaps some might prefer Trossard to Gabriel Martinelli on the left but the Brazilian’s dynamism and unpredictability will be needed in France.
Ian Wright wasn’t impressed with Trossard himself against PSG on Tuesday night, but it didn’t always feel like Arsenal’s attackers had the platform to succeed.
The £27m winger did come close to scoring, only to be denied by the superb Gianluigi Donnarumma, who Arsenal will need to somehow get the better of in a week’s time.
