Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber handed brutal Arsenal snub before PSG semi-final clash

Arsenal duo Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber have been surprisingly left out of a combined XI with Paris Saint-Germain ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final clash.

Luis Enrique's side suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at home to Nice on Friday night, despite fielding a strong team before their trip to North London. The loss shattered their dream of becoming the first team to complete an entire French top-flight season undefeated.

The Gunners, meanwhile, have had almost an entire week to prepare for the game against PSG. Mikel Arteta's men did not play over the weekend due to playing their opponents, Crystal Palace, in midweek, with the Eagles involved in FA Cup action.

And ahead of Tuesday's game at The Emirates Stadium, Sports Illustrated have picked a combined XI. They have, however, notably left out Arsenal captain Odegaard and key defender Timber.

Odegaard has been an influential figure for Arteta's team with five goals and 10 assists across all competitions, despite missing large chunks of the campaign through injury. Timber meanwhile has been an ever-present figure in central defence for the Gunners, making 30 appearances for a side which has conceded the fewest number of goals in the Premier League this season (29).

One of Arteta's current concerns is that Ben White and Mikel Merino did not make the matchday squad to take on Palace due to fitness issues. Both players picked up knocks following the 4-0 win at Ipswich Town and now face a race against time to be fit to face PSG.

"They couldn't be involved, if not they would have been involved," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Unfortunately, after the game [vs Ipswich] we had some issues and they are not fit.”

In his post-match press conference, Arteta added: "Yeah, we'll have to wait and see, they weren't able to be in the squad today." No further details were given on the pair but, given Thomas Partey is suspended for the first leg next week after picking up his third yellow card in this season's competition against Real Madrid, the absence of Merino is a real worry.

Sports Illustrated's Arsenal and PSG combined XI: Raya, Hakimi, Saliba, Marquinhos, Mendes, Rice, Vitinha, Doue, Saka, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia

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