‘A few options’ – Mikel Arteta reveals early thoughts on Champions League team selection amid Thomas Partey suspension

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Arsenal are preparing to travel to Ipswich Town in the Premier League as they fight to retain second place.

Mikel Arteta revealed that Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori are expected to miss the clash at Portman Road with the Gunners having to balance team selection after a trip to Madrid in the Champions League.

Arsenal fans want Declan Rice to be captain after his show of leadership at the Bernabeu in an incident involving Thomas Partey.

Partey was booked in the 2-1 victory over Real Madrid and now misses the semi final first leg against PSG and Arteta has revealed his early thought in how to replace the Ghanaian midfielder.

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Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal have ‘ a few options’ to replace Thomas Partey

Speaking at his pre match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Ipswich, Arteta revealed that he has ‘a few options’ to replace Partey for that first leg against PSG at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta stated: “A few options. We have a few options, obviously we are not going to give anything away.”

When asked if he could move players around from their familiar positions, the Gunners boss did not rule out the possibility in order to plug the gap that Partey’s absence will cause.

Arteta explained: “It depends on the players as well, whether they are comfortable and our qualities in relation to the game we play.”

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White are options to replace Thomas Partey

Arteta has players to replace Partey within his squad but upsetting the balance of the side that has been performing so well in Europe is something that he will need to consider.

Mikel Merino is the obvious choice to line up alongside Declan Rice but that then takes him out of the centre forward position he has made his own in recent months.

Jorginho is a doubt for the tie following his rib injury so Arteta could consider using Myles Lewis-Skelly in the midfield role with Kieran Tierney or Calafiori deputising at left back, if the Italian recovers in time.

Decisions need to be made by the Gunners boss but he has two Premier League games to focus on before that PSG clash and it also gives time for more recovery for his wounded stars.