Arsenal are into the last four of the Champions League, although Mikel Arteta faces a difficult decision ahead of the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners secured their progression into the semi-final by beating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, with the tie ending 5-1 on aggregate.
Thomas Partey received a yellow card in the clash against Los Blancos, which means he’ll miss the game against PSG at the Emirates through suspension.
Arteta has several options he could explore in Partey’s absence, with Jorginho the most like-for-like replacement.
Mikel Arteta provides Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori injury update
Jorginho missed Arsenal’s game against Real Madrid in the Spanish capital after being forced off the pitch with an injury on the weekend in the clash with Brentford.
The Italian suffered a chest issue against the Bees, and the initial diagnosis was that he’d be out for ‘a few weeks’.
Now Partey won’t be able to play in the first leg of the semi-final, the situation has become more urgent regarding the former Chelsea man.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Arteta was coy on Jorginho’s potential availability for the PSG encounter.
“Jorgi is not going to be available yet, he’s still struggling with that incident,” he said.
“That’s a question for the doctors [whether he’ll be available for PSG]. It’s quite a specific and difficult matter. So, I’ll leave that to the club.”
Riccardo Calafiori is also sidelined with an injury, having suffered a knee problem whilst on international duty last month.
If Jorginho isn’t fit to take on the French giants, Arteta may opt to move Myles Lewis-Skelly into midfield and start Calafiori at left-back.
The Arsenal boss confirmed that the former Bologna defender should be in contention to feature in the Champions League semi-final.
“If everything goes well, I think so, maybe a little bit earlier,” Arteta said.
“He’s on the pitch already, he’s doing quite a lot of stuff. We just need to make the right steps now to make sure that when he’s back, he’s in good shape.”
Mikel Arteta issues Kai Havertz fitness update
Kai Havertz suffered a severe hamstring injury in mid-February and hasn’t featured for Arsenal since.
However, hope emerged last week that Havertz could return in time to play in the Champions League final if Arsenal get there.
Arteta hasn’t ruled that potentiality out, although the Spaniard did say the semi-final would certainly come too quickly for the German.
“Semi-finals? I think that’s too close, but if I have to bet on him – earlier than expected?
“I would say yes. The way he works every day in that gym, pushing everybody, I don’t think you can hold him much longer.”
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