Mikel Arteta already has Thomas Partey injury replacement lined up for Real Madrid clash in double Arsenal change

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces some huge team selection decisions when it comes to his team to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.

The Spaniard will be asked to split or twist with his side, with plenty wondering if his side will attack the game with the same intensity when they hold such a big advantage.

Arsenal won 3-0 against Real Madrid in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, following two outrageous Declan Rice free-kicks and a stunning finish from Mikel Merino.

Plenty of the talk heading to the Bernabeu now surrounds the possibility of a comeback, with Los Blancos having quite a history in the Champions League.

Real Madrid have never fought back from a three-goal defeat in the rebranded competition, but they always seemingly find a way through.

Arsenal aren’t helped particularly by recent injury fears, as Thomas Partey and Jorginho are doubts for the tie.

While the former is in contention to feature, the latter is almost definitely ruled out, leaving Mikel Arteta with some key decisions to make on his team.

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Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard set to fill Thomas Partey role against Real Madrid

Arsenal travel to Real Madrid on Wednesday night in search of a result that will put them into the Champions League semi-final.

With Thomas Partey’s injury creating a slight doubt over whether he will be fit enough to travel to the Bernabeu, there could be a change in the team coming.

According to Diario AS, Mikel Arteta is lining up a possible switch in midfield that could see Mikel Merino drop back into the central areas from his unorthodox centre-forward role.

If he were to do so, then Leandro Trossard may be in line for a role as the central striker, having played there a few times this season.

It remains to be seen whether that plan will be needed, with some hope that Partey’s substitution was simply a precaution and isn’t something he will miss the game with.

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Thomas Partey’s record against Real Madrid

Before joining Arsenal, Partey spent a few years in Madrid, but with Atletico rather than Real.

The midfielder took on their city rivals plenty of times, but his own personal record against Los Blancos is surprisingly poor.

Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid was only the third victory that the Ghanaian international had experienced against them in 14 outings.

While it’s such a poor record, the midfielder’s impressive performance last time out will want repeating to avoid crashing out with the three-goal advantage.