This Wednesday’s meeting between Arsenal and Real Madrid, culminating in a victory by the Gunners (2-1), allowed the London club to win its qualification for the semi-finals of the Champions League. Although the performance was generally satisfactory, the joy was somewhat tarnished by the attribution of a warning, marking a black spot in the celebration of this crucial victory. Following this match, four Arsenal players were under threat of suspension for the return match: Partey, Rice, Martinelli and Timber, a situation that made the outcome of the return even more uncertain.

If the warning addressed to Declan Rice was finally cancelled thanks to the intervention of the VAR, following a penalty initially whistled and then invalidated, Thomas Partey’s fate was different. In the final seconds of the match, referee François Letexier sanctioned Ghana’s midfielder for an altercation with opposing defender Antonio Rüdiger, placing him in a potential suspension for the semifinal game. This penalty represents a significant setback for Arsenal, given the importance of the player.

Thomas Partey, an essential figure of Mikel Arteta’s tactical device, is a pillar of London’s midfielder, making a substantial contribution through his dry cleaning, recovery and powerful strikes. His absence for the shock against Paris Saint-Germain, whose midfielder is particularly dense, will undoubtedly constitute a major handicap for the Gunners, an advantage that Luis Enrique, the Parisian coach, will not fail to exploit.