It is no secret that Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal share a very deep heated rivalry and a few days apart, the host venue for one of the iconic London clubs will once again be at the centre of the sports world.
At the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium on Saturday, April 26, the eagerly awaited super hyped top profile boxing bout between Chris Eubank Jnr. and Conor Benn finally took place and the bout didn’t disappoint at all.
Both fighters battled mightily in an entertaining showcase that ended in Eubank Jnr. winning it by a close shave and to highlight how close the fight was, three belt heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk picked Benn as the winner.
As much as the actors of the big bout are self-made men, it’s difficult to shake off the allure the fathers of both boxers added to the big event.
Before Eubank Jnr. and Conor Benn entered the ring, their fathers Nigel Benn and Eubank Snr. had their time in the spotlight several years back with the older Eubank earning a draw and a win over Nigel Benn.
Like the older patriarchs whose presence loomed large over the “Fatal Fury”, Eubank Jnr. was declared the winner, tonight’s UEFA Champions League semifinal matchup between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain has Thomas Partey’s name written all over it.
Partey won’t compete in the semifinal clash and is practically the biggest talking point of the clash with many looking at how his absence impacts Arsenal’s chances of winning the first leg and the implications it has on getting the Gunners through to the finals over two legs.
Wild scenarios of how Arsenal’s starting lineup looks without Partey have been drawn up with all having Declan Rice playing as the sole defensive midfielder rather than lining up high up the pitch. Playing in advanced position on the pitch with Partey behind him as the security blanket, Rice has thrived in his second season as Partey’s health related-availability has vastly improved.
For tonight’s game, Rice needs to produce his best version of Partey’s brilliant blend of patient, cerebral and sometimes brutish style that keeps Mikel Arteta’s team humming. There are question marks over the availability of Mikel Merino and Ben White who would impact the third personnel choice in Arsenal’s midfield alongside Martin Odegaard and Rice.
If Ben White is available, the Englishman can play as the right full back with Jurrien Timber moving over to the left full-back for the impressive Myles Lewis-Skelly to play on the left side of the midfield. If Merino is fit enough to start, then the familiar trio of Rice, Merino and Odegaard is likely to start in midfield against PSG.
If White and Merino are available, the Spanish midfielder needs to leads the attack with Timber and White manning the full back positions and Lewis-Skelly playing on the left side in the middle.
As great as Lewis-Skelly has been in his breakthrough season, his defensive limitations have been exposed somewhat and can’t be ignored and PSG have a lot of quality wingers who can easily get behind the Gunners left side.
To counter the threat of PSG’s bevy of quality forwards particularly without Gabriel Magalhaes, Arteta needs to line centre backs across the back four with White, William Saliba, Jakob Kiwior and Timber manning the spots.
Having Merino as the throwback big frame leading the attack through the middle is a necessity to keep PSG’s centre backs Willian Pacho and Marquinhos honest instead of having him play deeper with Leandro Trossard leading the front.
It is a common phrase but an important one nonetheless but timing is everything and for Partey’s negotiators working on a new contract with Arsenal, this is the perfect opportunity to leverage Partey’s importance to get a very lucrative deal for their Ghanaian client.
Let’s say PSG’s extensive list of vicious athletic but technically brilliant players excel at the Emirates Stadium tonight and Partey returns for the second leg and delivers a top performance, Partey’s camp will walk to the bank smiling from ear to ear.
Even if PSG impress in London but Partey doesn’t necessarily blow the competition out of the water in Paris, his body of work in the 2024-2025 season can’t be looked past so either way Partey is certain to cash in on a brilliant season.
Being just a stage separated from a first UEFA Champions League final appearance since 2006 and looking at the fine margins teams needed to progress to the semifinals, Arsenal head into tonight’s fixture handicapped.
First leg results played key roles in getting all the semifinalists past the quarterfinal stage. Barcelona’s 4-0 win in Spain did the trick against Borussia Dortmund despite suffering a 3-1 loss in Germany. Inter Milan drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich in Italy after recording a 2-1 win in Munich while PSG almost missed out on qualifying to the semis after losing 3-2 at Villa Park.
PSG’s 3-1 win in Paris did the trick as the Parisian club qualified via 5-4 win aggregate win to meet an Arsenal side that beat Real Madrid at home and away from home but that 3-0 win in London did the trick.
Partey played in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over PSG earlier this season at the group phase and it is difficult to see Arsenal getting past PSG without Partey and getting into the final eventually. With the margins being so ultra-fine, playing against a Partey-less Arsenal is just that edge PSG need to progress to the Champions League final.
Yes, Thomas Partey won’t play tonight but his presence will loom large in Arsenal’s present circumstance in its attempt to win a trophy and its future prospects of building a formidable side to really have a great go at winning the English Premier League title next season.
