Arsenal will travel to Italy on Thursday night to play their first league-phase match against Europa League winners Atalanta BC, marking the start of their most recent Champions League campaign.
Head coach Mikel Arteta can reinstate midfield stalwart Declan Rice into his starting lineup after a suspension, but he still has a number of selection difficulties to address.
A number of defenders are expected to miss out at the Gewiss Stadium, with captain Martin Odegaard leading the lengthy list of absences due to an ankle injury sustained while representing Norway in the UEFA Nations League earlier this month.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Kieran Tierney (thigh), and former Bologna center back Riccardo Calafiori (calf) will also not play in their native nation.
In addition, new signing Mikel Merino’s shoulder injury sustained during training limits Arteta’s choices in the midfield, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho vying to partner Rice in the engine room.
Bukayo Saka was substituted late in Sunday’s North London derby, but it has been reported that he was only suffering from cramps. As a result, the England winger is expected to start on Arsenal’s right side.
Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling appear to be fighting for one more spot in the final third, with Kai Havertz leading the line and Leandro Trossard probably taking over for Odegaard in an advanced midfield role.
Should he be chosen, the aforementioned individual would make history as the first guy to represent four separate English teams in the Champions League or European Cup in UEFA’s premier club competition.
After recovering from his most recent muscular issue, Brazil’s Gabriel Jesus made a late appearance as a substitute over the weekend, but he will start the game on the bench on Thursday.
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Saka, Trossard, Sterling, Havertz might be Arsenal’s starting lineup.
