Arsenal facing nervous injuries wait ahead of PSG first leg

Arsenal face an anxious wait to know if Mikel Merino and Ben White will be available for next week's Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners have most of a week off between games following Wednesday night's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, which had to be brought forward a few days due to the Eagles' FA Cup commitments.

But there is not yet any word on whether Merino or White will be fit enough for involvement when PSG make the short hop from the French capital to London next Tuesday night.

Any sort of prolonged absence for Merino would be a significant blow for Arsenal. The Gunners have pretty much stumbled onto his ability to play as a 'false nine', doing an admirable job of filling in for Kai Havertz since February in the absence of an actual striker.

Merino played all 180 minutes of the quarter-final against Real Madrid in the role, scoring in the first leg at home and assisting in the return in Spain.

White is yet to reclaim a regular place since returning from a long-term knee injury in February, but is the first alternative for Jurrien Timber at right-back and still played a part in both Madrid games too.

Arsenal are already without Thomas Partey through suspension for the first PSG encounter, after his needless late yellow card after the Madrid tie was already won triggered a one-game ban. Jorginho is also a major doubt due to a rib injury, leaving Arteta light in midfield.

If fit, Merino could actually drop into a more familiar deeper role to cover the shortfall and leave the No.9 position for Leandro Trossard, who scored Arsenal's second goal against Palace. Oleksandr Zinchenko would be another option, although he has spent much of the season on the bench.

Arsenal will be contesting their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years, seeking to reach only a second-ever final in the competition. Their only other final appearance ended in a late comeback defeat to Barcelona in 2006, having led most of the game, despite a player deficit.

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