Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori decision made as £50m man drops out: Arsenal predicted starting XI vs PSG

Arsenal will look to reach the Champions League final for just the second time in their history when they take on Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday’s semi-final second leg.

Arsenal have to come from behind if they are to get past PSG, who lead 1-0 at the halfway point of the tie.

Ousmane Dembele’s early goal at the Emirates Stadium gave Luis Enrique’s side a slender lead ahead of Arsenal’s trip to the Parc des Princes.

However, Mikel Arteta has been boosted by a number of timely returns from injury and suspension.

TBR Football looks at who Arteta could name in the Arsenal starting XI for Wednesday’s huge Champions League clash in the French capital.

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Arsenal team news vs Paris Saint-Germain

Arteta confirmed at his pre-match press conference that both Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are in contention to play against PSG.

Timber missed the Bournemouth defeat with a knock, while Calafiori has been sidelined since March with a knee injury.

Asked by reporters on Tuesday if Timber is fit to start, he said: “I will assess him today to see if he can play… we will decide tomorrow.”

As for Calafiori, Arteta said: “He’s travelled, he’s fit, and he’s available to play if we need him.”

Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz and Jorginho are set to miss out.

Martin Odegaard tipped to remain in Arsenal starting XI as Ben White drops out

Put simply, Arteta will unleash the big guns against PSG, and he will name the strongest available XI for a match of incredible importance.

David Raya’s form may have been mixed of late but he is Arteta’s first-choice and, if available, he starts.

Arteta went with a strong back four against Bournemouth and he is likely to retain the bulk of it against PSG.

We predict that the only change in the back four will be Ben White – we feel the £50million man will make way for Timber.

Calafiori is also available, but we feel Arteta won’t risk the Italian from the start after so much time on the sidelines.

Thomas Partey, who was suspended for the first-leg encounter, is a welcome boost, and he’s set to start for Arsenal.

Martin Odegaard’s form has been shaky of late but, as with Raya, there’s virtually no chance Arteta will drop him willingly for such a big game.

Declan Rice is also expected to start and, with Partey now back, he shouldn’t need to play as deep, so hopefully we’ll see the best of him.

As for the front line, Arteta is likely to go with Mikel Merino leading the line and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli either side of him.

Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli

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