Mikel Arteta handing Mikel Merino's 'strange' role in Arsenal's Ipswich win gives PSG hint

Bagging four away goals is no small feat, and while Arsenal may view the Premier League as a pesky hindrance—posing a risk to Mikel Arteta's squad—this notion stems from fear of injuries like the appalling challenge on Bukayo Saka.

Post-game, Arteta appeared to downplay the severity of the incident. Nonetheless, Saka was spotted with considerable bandaging on his ankle and utilising a cooling boot, limping conspicuously as he navigated the mixed zone.

"He was a bit sore, but it's nothing serious, so it's good," Arteta remarked. He elaborated: "I haven't seen the slow-motion, I've just seen the normal pace image, and yeah, he cuts him from the back.

"I don't think it's intentional at all, but it's dangerous because he cannot really react to anything, because you cannot see him coming."

With the upcoming fixture against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, whether Saka will make an appearance or even partake is unclear. Given that both clubs have a semi-final looming, opting for caution wouldn't come off as a shock.

While Saka was arguably the main talking point of the day, an intriging element came in the form of seeing how the team would perform with a change in formation and different players occupying roles that Arteta hasn't favoured recently. Thomas Partey's suspension against PSG resulted in him not playing at all on Sunday afternoon in Suffolk.

Whether he will play again on Tuesday, given that he won't be included in the squad for the next match, is an interesting consideration. If he does play, it essentially deprives another player of the opportunity to train for the position for the upcoming game.

In this instance, Declan Rice filled the number six role, while Mikel Merino moved back from his position as centre-forward to number eight - laying down a clear hint as to where he may be deployed against PSG. Leandro Trossard took on the striker's duties and responded by scoring twice on the day.

With six successful tackles, composed ball control, a brilliant flicked backheel assist and two ball recoveries, Merino gave a timely reminder of his capabilities. Post match Arteta acknowledged the unusual sight of seeing him back in what is supposed to be his natural position.

"Yeah, well, that's why he's played his whole career," Arteta asserted when questioned about a player's unconventional position. "But obviously, we have a very short memory sometimes, and we see him as a nine, and now it's almost strange to see him in midfield. I think he did really well."

The midfield showdown with PSG superstars João Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz looms as a potential decider for the upcoming European crunch match.

Arsenal notched their fourth goal thanks to both full-backs swapping into central roles, featuring Kieran Tierney enabling three left-backs on the pitch simultaneously—a recurring theme this season.

Lewis-Skelly appears to be the more probable option of the two, particularly because he rose through the youth ranks playing that role. This could mean Jurrien Timber moving over to the left side, allowing Ben White to slot in on the right.

The spotlight is on how Arteta will tackle the upcoming midweek fixture. When quizzed by ahead of the game about juggling preparations for PSG without revealing too much tactically, Arteta responded with his usual poise.

"As always, a balance," he remarked. "Understanding what the priorities are.

"The priority is one or is it another? And then, as well, making sure that players are comfortable and feeling the position that they have to play in such a big match."