Mikel Arteta makes PSG point as Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey Arsenal reality clear

It was not the dream preparation for PSG Mikel Arteta had hoped for.

Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening, with Jakub Kiwior's early header cancelled out by Eberechi Eze's wonderful volley from a corner. Leandro Trossard ensured the home side went into the break ahead but a William Saliba mistake in the second half gifted Jean-Philippe Mateta an equaliser.

With PSG coming to town next Tuesday, all attention will now turn to the Champions League semi-final first leg. Asked if the fixture against the French champions was in the minds of his players, Arteta said: "Hopefully not, but we discussed that before each week, and it wasn't there.

"Today we had still six days to prepare the match and I don't want to use that. Obviously, we have missed a lot of players, a lot of players that haven't trained at all, that weren't able to do today, so we've been very short. But as well, credit to Palace, they are very well organised, they are a really good side and they made it difficult for us and the reality as well that today we weren’t at our best."

One of the concerns for Arteta was the fact 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.

Merino is naturally a midfielder but has played as a No.9 for the Gunners in recent months due to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus being out injured. With Partey not available for the first leg, many expected Merino to drop back into midfield and Leandro Trossard take his place up top.

Those plans have now been thrown out the window, however, and a lot will depend on the extent of Merino's injury. Partey will be a huge miss in the first leg and replacing him will be key. With Jorginho also out injured, options for Arteta really are limited going into the semi-final clash next week and how Partey is replaced remains to be seen.

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