The coaching staff have suggested that I should drop Him against PSG,this is going to be a huge decision that I’m going to make this season and I hope I won’t regret it later”, Mikel Arteta confirmed ONE big name will be dropped against PSG – Not Martinelli and Not Saka
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent shockwaves through the Gunners’ fanbase ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League return leg against Paris Saint-Germain, revealing that he’s seriously considering dropping one of his biggest names for the decisive encounter at the Emirates — and it’s not Gabriel Martinelli or Bukayo Saka.
Speaking in a tense pre-match press conference, Arteta admitted that the coaching staff had advised him to leave out a key figure in the starting XI, a decision he described as one of the toughest calls of his managerial career.
“The coaching staff have suggested that I should drop him against PSG,” Arteta confessed. “This is going to be a huge decision that I’m going to make this season, and I just hope I won’t regret it later.”
While Arteta declined to directly name the player, insiders close to the Arsenal camp and growing speculation among reporters point towards Gabriel Jesus as the likely candidate facing the axe.
Jesus, who has struggled for consistency in front of goal in recent weeks, has come under scrutiny following a series of quiet performances in high-stakes fixtures. With the return of Bukayo Saka from injury and the impressive form of Kai Havertz operating in a central role, the Brazilian striker’s starting position appears increasingly uncertain.
Arteta’s cryptic comments have added further intrigue to the buildup of what is shaping up to be one of Arsenal’s biggest European nights in recent memory.
“It’s a decision that could decide not just this game, but our whole season. The player is someone I deeply respect, but we have to do what’s best for the team in this moment,” the Spanish manager added.
When pressed for hints on whether the decision concerned an attacking player, Arteta simply replied with a smile, “Let’s see on matchday.”
The news has ignited intense debate among Arsenal fans, with many expressing surprise over Jesus potentially being benched, especially in a fixture of this magnitude. Others have suggested that Arteta might opt for a tactical reshuffle, perhaps utilizing Havertz as a false nine or giving Leandro Trossard a starting role after his recent run of form.
Regardless of the final call, one thing is clear — Arteta is willing to make bold, ruthless decisions in pursuit of European glory.
With kick-off fast approaching, all eyes will be on Arsenal’s team sheet as fans eagerly await to see which big name will be left out of one of the biggest nights of their campaign.