Arsenal fans online are hopeful that Thomas Partey will put in a solid performance after being included in the starting XI to face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg. The two sides are set to face off at Parc des Princes on Wednesday (May 7).
Mikel Arteta’s men have an uphill task before them heading into the clash. With the Parisians securing a 1-0 lead in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal have to win in Paris to keep the tie alive.
Partey missed the first leg defeat to Luis Enrique’s men after picking up a yellow card in the quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid. It was his third yellow card in the competition, which automatically resulted in a one-match suspension.
The Ghanaian midfielder has proven to be a stalwart in Arsenal’s midfield, as the club has often struggled in the middle of the park in his absence.
Arteta has named his starting lineup for the match in Paris. The Spaniard named the same team that played the first leg with the exception of Leandro Trossard, who makes way for Partey.
Partey’s return will, of course, provide the Gunners with more firepower in midfield to go head-on with PSG’s in-form Vitinha. After the lineup was released, a section of the Gunners fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to urge Partey to drop a world-class performance, with one writing:
Another tweeted:
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice believes his side can defy odds and defeat Paris Saint-Germain in the return leg of their UCL semi-final. The Englishman played a crucial role in ensuring the Gunners reach the last four with his brace against Real Madrid at the Emirates.
Rice said in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday:
The team that progresses between Arsenal and PSG will take on Inter Milan in the final in Munich.
An ardent Chelsea fan, Ezekiel’s journey as a football fan began in his childhood, witnessing Ronaldinho dazzle with his skills. His interest in the beautiful game deepened after Nigeria were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup; he was impressed with the Super Eagles’ fighting spirit in their 2-2 Group B draw against South Korea. Some other World Cup matches which have left a deep impact on him were Belgium’s incredible comeback against Japan in the round of 16 of the 2018 version and the 2022 final.
Lionel Messi is the one true GOAT for Ezekiel and he also follows the Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League owing to him and Cristiano Ronaldo. When not writing, he spends his free time deepening his SEO knowledge and watching skits.
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