Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed surprise at how little attention was given to the absence of several key players, including Thomas Partey.
He is saying this in the aftermath of their 1-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Emirates.
Partey, who missed the match due to yellow card suspension, was joined on the sidelines by other vital players such as Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jorginho, and Gabriel Jesus.
Their collective absence left Arsenal significantly weakened, especially in midfield where Partey’s presence was sorely missed.
Yet, Arteta believes the impact of those absences has not been adequately discussed.
“I was very shocked just before the game against PSG at home,” Arteta told reporters ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
“I walked into the dressing room and saw all the injured players sitting together—Tomiyasu, Calafiori, Gabriel, Thomas Partey, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Jorginho. I thought to myself, that’s a starting eleven. And we don’t have them.”
Arsenal’s midfield lacked its usual structure and authority, particularly with Partey unavailable to anchor play and dictate tempo.
PSG capitalised on this, scoring through Ousmane Dembélé in the fourth minute and controlling the match from there.
Despite the weakened squad, Arteta’s men kept the scoreline respectable, and the tie remains open ahead of the return leg.