Arsenal begin their second Champions League season under Mikel Arteta this Thursday with an away game at Atalanta.
The Gunners go into the clash having secured their third consecutive north London derby win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arteta beat Ange Postecoglou’s team, minus Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard, to pick up three vital points before they travel to Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend. Before that, they face Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, the reigning Europa League winners, at the Gewiss Stadium.
Arsenal welcome Rice back to the team but Ødegaard is likely to miss out again after suffering an ankle injury while playing for Norway, meaning Arsenal could face their first Champions League game of the season.
Goalkeeper: David Raya – The Arsenal goalkeeper is in the starting line-up and will be hoping to keep another clean sheet away from home this season.
LB: Jurrien Timber – Timber retains his place in the starting line-up as the Dutch defender continues his strong form.
CB: Gabriel – Fresh from the winning goal in the North London derby, Gabriel is William Saliba’s defensive partner.
Centre-back: William Saliba – This is no surprise. Saliba and Gabriel are England’s best defensive duo.
RB: Benjamin White – White didn’t have the best game against Spurs, but he has been one of the most consistent players of the Mikel Arteta era.
CM: Declan Rice – Rice returns to midfield.
CM: Jorginho – Arteta preferred to use Jorginho in last season’s Champions League to have more control in midfield and he returns to the team after starting last weekend.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey hasn’t looked quite up to scratch, but he is the best genuine midfield option available until Ødegaard returns. He will sit between Rice and Jorginho.
LW: Leandro Trossard – Arguably Arsenal’s top scorer starts on the left after playing in midfield against Spurs.
ST: Kai Havertz – Havertz has been involved in three goals in four Premier League games. He tops the list again.
RW: Bukayo Saka – The Arsenal star starts again but Mikel Arteta could look to rest him early in the second half when a two-goal lead is established, with Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus needing minutes.
