A £42m Arsenal star has informed Mikel Arteta of his desire to play in midfield, and he might now get his opportunity against PSG.

Arsenal will face PSG in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals next Tuesday, but Mikel Arteta is already facing a selection dilemma. Thomas Partey received a yellow card for dissent during the victory over Real Madrid, resulting in a suspension for the first leg of the semi-final.

 

Partey has been a key player, starting 26 Premier League matches and 10 in the Champions League, making his absence a significant blow to Arteta. However, a defender who has long expressed a desire to play in midfield could now have the chance to step up.

 

Riccardo Calafiori, who joined from Bologna for £42m last summer, is primarily a defender but has shown great potential higher up the pitch. The Italian has expressed his interest in midfield roles, citing a passion for the position and a desire to learn more about it. In March, Calafiori shared with Rivista Undici that he has always been fascinated by midfield play and hopes to continue expanding his skills in that area.

 

Normally, Arteta might turn to Kai Havertz for a midfield role in these circumstances, but with Havertz sidelined due to a hamstring injury, other options emerge. Mikel Merino started in midfield during Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Ipswich, but Arteta might hesitate to move the versatile Leandro Trossard from his recent role as a false nine, where he excelled against Real Madrid.

 

Another alternative is Myles Lewis-Skelly, an 18-year-old defender who has looked comfortable in the midfield, having played as an inverted left-back. This makes him another potential candidate to replace Partey for the PSG clash.

 

With PSG boasting one of Europe’s best midfields, featuring Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz, whoever steps in for Partey will face a tough challenge in the heart of midfield.