Mikel Arteta could use Arsenal star in a new position to cover for Thomas Partey’s suspension vs PSG

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Unfortunately for Arsenal their win against Real Madrid in the Champions League did come at a slight cost.

Arsenal lost Thomas Partey for their first leg against Paris Saint-Germain owing to the yellow card he picked up in the 85th minute of the game.

Partey was also booked away at PSV Eindhoven in the previous round and owing the competition’s very harsh suspension rules, the 31-year-old will miss PSG’s trip to north London.

Partey was immense against Madrid over both legs — he was constantly breaking the lines for Arsenal, allowing the likes of Rice to excel further forward.

However, Arteta will need to find a solution when PSG arrive at the Emirates Stadium in less than two week’s time, and it’s not looking like an easy decision.

Arsenal could use Myles Lewis-Skelly in a new position against PSG

On the face of it, Arteta’s most straightforward solution would be to replace Partey with Jorginho.

However, the 33-year-old suffered a suspected rib injury against Brentford last weekend and there’s currently no guarantee that he’ll be fit.

And even if Jorginho is ready in time, he’s unlikely to be at his best in terms of match sharpness — the Italian has only completed 90 minutes eight times this season.

Therefore, in a more creative alternative, it might be time for Arteta to try Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, the position he’s predominantly played whilst in the Hale End Academy.

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Lewis-Skelly was exceptional up against Rodrygo as a left-back on Wednesday evening, it would be a shame to lose him up against someone like PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

However, moving the youngster into midfield could be very exciting, either in the number six or eight role alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Riccardo Calafiori could still be key for Arsenal

Of course, before facing Madrid, many thought that Arsenal would move Mikel Merino into midfield were Partey missing — the midfielder was an injury doubt.

However, executing the same plan against PSG would force Arteta into playing Leandro Trossard as a number nine if Merino is in midfield.

Therefore, with Riccardo Calafiori expected to be fit in time to play against PSG after a knee issue, his inclusion in the eleven could avoid a lot of disruption elsewhere.

It would be a shame to lose Rice from his advanced role in the middle, and perhaps Lewis-Skelly could sit as the six as mentioned.

But many close to Arsenal do seem to believe that Lewis-Skelly’s long-term future is as an eight, a position his skill-set really suits.

A difficult choice for Arteta, but one that the Spaniard can definitely be trusted to get right.