Mikel Arteta was handed a major boost ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Monday with Mikel Merino fit enough to train, likely clarifying the shape of the starting XI that will take to the field in the semifinal first leg on Tuesday night.

Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in what will be a battle of minds between two Spanish managers in Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

The Emirates Stadium opened in 2006 and Arsenal have only played one other Champions League semi-final there, which ended in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in 2009 - a match that is remembered for Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-range free-kick after just 11 minutes.

Arsenal will miss Partey’s physical presence, which was an asset when they beat PSG in October, and Merino will need to live up to his nickname of the ‘Duel Monster’ to stop Joao Neves and Vitinha running the show. The midfield battle will be key, but not as intriguing as the one out wide.

PSG are set to play Arsenal in the upcoming UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg at The Emirates on April 29. The Gunners are coming off a 5-1 aggregate w