Three ways Arsenal could line up without Mikel Merino against PSG amid injury fears | OneFootball

Gunners could be forced into reshuffle with injury and suspension concerns

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Mikel Arteta will be desperately hoping Mikel Merino is fit for next week’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain, as otherwise the Arsenal manager will have a major selection headache.

Merino is now a doubt after being left out of the Arsenal squad for their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Arteta said the Spaniard was not fit and he was unable to offer any guarantee he will be ready to face PSG at Emirates Stadium next week.

And so, here, Standard Sport takes a look at three solutions if Arsenal are without Merino…

Start Zinchenko

Oleksandr Zinchenko has spent much of his Arsenal career at left-back, but more recently he has been used in midfield.

Zinchenko has plenty of experience playing there and that is where he usually lines up for Ukraine.

The 28-year-old could play on the left of a midfield three, with Martin Odegaard the other No8 and Declan Rice behind them.

Zinchenko impressed in midfield last month and was on the scoresheet when Arsenal beat PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Playing the Ukrainian would add to experience to the side, while it would also require minimal disruption elsewhere.

Leandro Trossard could play as a No9 in the absence of Merino and he has impressed this month, scoring four goals.

The concern with Zinchenko would be the lack of physical presence he can offer as a No8 in comparison to Merino and Rice.

But when it comes to technique and ability on the ball, the 28-year-old would prove a viable option.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is an option to start on the left of a midfield three

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Drop Trossard into midfield

Trossard is enjoying a fine run of form and his goal against Crystal Palace made it four in his last four Premier League games.

The Belgian has excelled as a striker during that run and, if Merino is fit, he would likely get the nod to start up front against PSG.

Trossard, however, could play in midfield if Arsenal are without Merino for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

The 30-year-old has played there for the Gunners and Belgium, and it is a role he enjoys playing.

The issue with Trossard playing in midfield is it would leave Arteta with a dilemma as to who he sticks up front.

Ethan Nwaneri is viewed as a long-term option there, while Raheem Sterling can play through the middle, too.

Gabriel Martinelli is another possible solution, but Arsenal are short on left wing options if Trossard plays in midfield.

Leandro Trossard or Ethan Nwaneri could drop back into midfield

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Turn to Lewis-Skelly or Nwaneri

This is, perhaps, the most exciting option and certainly one that fans would be open to seeing.

Myles Lewis-Skelly has excelled at left-back this season, but he came through Arsenal’s academy as a midfielder.

The 18-year-old could prove an effective weapon as a left No8 given his ability to drive forward with the ball.

Lewis-Skelly, as he has shown this season, is also brilliant out of possession and he would give Arsenal a physical presence in that area of the pitch.

“He stepped in midfield the other day and he looked very, very comfortable,” said Arteta on Tuesday. “He’s played his whole career and he’s good.”

Pushing Lewis-Skelly forward would force Arteta to find a solution at left-back. Kieran Tierney and Zinchenko would be options, but neither offers the same defensive solidity as Lewis-Skelly.

Riccardo Calafiori, another option, has not played since March due to a knee injury and is only just getting back to full fitness.

If Arteta wanted to keep Lewis-Skelly in defence, then he could turn to Nwaneri. The 18-year-old has excelled as a right No8 this season, but could line up on the left of midfield next to Odegaard.

It would be a very bold and attacking call, however Arsenal’s attack may benefit from having two playmakers in midfield.