Thomas Partey will miss Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on April 29, 2025, at the Emirates Stadium due to a suspension. He received a yellow card in the 85th minute of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid on April 16, 2025, after a confrontation with Antonio Rüdiger.
This was Partey’s third booking in the competition, triggering a one-match ban under UEFA rules, which mandate a suspension for every odd-numbered yellow card (third, fifth, seventh, etc.) up to the quarter-finals. Despite yellow card tallies resetting after the quarter-finals, Partey’s booking in the second leg against Madrid means he will sit out the PSG match.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a selection challenge, especially with Jorginho potentially sidelined by a rib injury. Possible replacements include shifting Declan Rice to the defensive midfield role, moving Mikel Merino back to midfield, or using Jurrien Timber in a midfield position, with Oleksandr Zinchenko or Ben White filling defensive gaps.
Partey’s absence is considered a significant blow, given his key role in controlling the midfield and his strong performances, including a 91.28% pass accuracy in the Champions League this season.
Sentiment on X reflects frustration among Arsenal fans, with some calling Partey’s yellow card “silly” or “stupid” and expressing concern about facing PSG’s strong midfield without him.
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