Arsenal's selection headache for their crunch Champions League semi-final showdown against PSG
Partey's suspension causes problems for Arteta
That twat Mikel Arteta is already dealing with an injury crisis, and now he's gotta navigate a suspension for Thomas Partey. The north London mugs will have to make do without the midfielder for the first-leg with PSG due to an accumulation of yellow cards. The Ghanaian picked up his third Champions League booking in the quarter-final second leg win over Real Madrid.
When are Champions League yellow cards wiped?
All four teams in the competition's semi-finals can breathe a sigh of relief. Any players walking suspension tightropes have had their disciplinary record scrubbed. A red card is now the only way in which stars can be suspended for the final, even if they are cautioned in both legs of a semi-final tie.
According to UEFA's official rulebook, Article 52.04 states: "Exceptionally, all yellow cards and pending yellow-card suspensions expire on completion of the play-offs. They are not carried forward to the group stage. In addition, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals."
Partey's absence causes problems for Arsenal
Partey's absence may force Arteta into reshuffling his midfield, with Jorginho unable to deputise in holding midfield due to injury. Instead, Declan Rice could drop into the No.6 role, with makeshift striker Mikel Merino returning to his more orthodox No.8 position. But let's be real, it's not gonna make a difference. Arsenal are gonna get their arses handed to them by PSG.
