Mikel Arteta urged to drop Arsenal star after disappointing display against PSG

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been urged to make a bold selection decision ahead of the club’s Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners head to the French capital next Wednesday needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit after a disappointing first-leg display at the Emirates Stadium. Despite high hopes following their impressive quarter-final triumph over defending champions Real Madrid, Arsenal struggled to replicate that form against the Ligue 1 title holders.

Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike separated the two sides in north London, leaving PSG in pole position to reach the 2025 Champions League final. The French champions have already eliminated Premier League sides Liverpool and Aston Villa during their strong run in this year’s competition.

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Arteta is expected to restore Thomas Partey to the midfield after suspension, with Mikel Merino likely returning to a more advanced role in the starting XI. However, calls are growing for another key change — one that would see 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri handed a starting berth in place of Gabriel Martinelli.

Nwaneri has enjoyed a breakout season at Arsenal but featured only briefly off the bench during injury time in the first leg. Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker believes the teenager has the mentality and talent to shine on the biggest stage.

“In those types of games, you want players who are fearless, who are going to go out there and just do it and not let the pressure of the situation get to them,” Reo-Coker told CBS Sports.

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“You know what I would do? I would start Nwaneri. Ethan, the young lad at Arsenal, because these are the games young players can thrive in. I hate when people say ‘oh they’re too young’ — if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”

Reo-Coker added: “It’s a tough decision but I would take Martinelli out for Nwaneri. Mikel Merino will go back up there because Thomas Partey will come back in. People will say Nwaneri’s not played in that position much, but in the modern game players interchange. I would find a way to get him in that team.”

Elsewhere, the second semi-final pits La Liga leaders Barcelona against Serie A champions Inter Milan, with the winner of that tie set to face either PSG or Arsenal in the final.

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