Luis Enrique takes huge PSG injury risk before Arsenal Champions League semi-final

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique made a number of surprising team selection decisions for the Ligue 1 clash against Nantes on Tuesday evening.

After a 2-1 win against Le Havre on Saturday, the Parisians were back in action just a few days later in a game that had been rearranged at their request in order to fully focus on the Champions League quarter-final against Aston Villa.

That proved to be a smart decision as PSG beat Villa 5-4 on aggregate and therefore advanced to the semi-finals where they will face Arsenal.

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With that in mind and because the Ligue 1 title has already been secured, heavy rotation has been expected in these three games. Enrique certainly did that against Le Havre with Gianluigi Donnarumma even taken out of the starting XI.

However, he named a surprisingly strong team for the clash away to Nantes. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele, Nuno Mendes Vitinha and Marquinhos all started the clash with the latter duo playing the full 90 minutes.

Including some big names was always likely given the fringe players may struggle to play twice in four days but so many of them starting and playing the entirety of the game was certainly a surprise.

Thankfully for the PSG head coach, it does not look as though any new injury worries emerged from the draw. If anything, there was a fitness boost for the French champions

Though full focus will not yet be on Arsenal, Enrique was asked if playing low blocks is good preparation for their European semi-final.

Speaking in a press conference, as quoted by , he said: "It will depend on how Arsenal play, on the scenario, if they press, if they score and become cautious... It will depend on the match they propose. And regardless of what we like or not, low block, midfield or pressing, PSG must be ready for anything."

In terms of Arsenal's plans and lead up to the first leg, they will have an extra 48 hours to prepare with Wednesday's clash against Crystal Palace brought forward from this weekend.