Arsenal predicted lineup, team and injury news as Arteta makes Ethan Nwaneri decision vs Atalanta

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign with a game against Atalanta in Italy.

The Gunners made it all the way to the quarter-finals of Europe’s most prestigious club competition, and they could’ve beaten Bayern Munich then.

That, sadly, didn’t happen, but we’re sure Mikel Arteta will be hoping to go at least one step further in the Champions League in the 2024/25 season.

It will be interesting to see what will happen when Arsenal take on Atalanta, and here’s the latest on team and injury news and the lineup we expect Arteta to name in Bergamo.

Arsenal team news as Arteta receives Bukayo Saka injury boost

Arsenal had seven players missing for the North London Derby and many of them are expected to be out of this game as well.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and Mikel Merino are all ruled out, while Martin Odegaard isn’t expected back until October either. Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a doubt after missing the game against Tottenham.

Riccardo Calafiori could return as his injury was described as minor, while Declan Rice will certainly return after serving his suspension.

The big news is that Bukayo Saka should be fit despite limping off the pitch against Tottenham. It is thought that the Englishman was just suffering from cramp.

READ MORE: How to watch every Arsenal game in the 24/25 Champions League including two free live streams

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Atalanta

We expect Arteta to make a few changes to his side on Thursday, but many of the big hitters will still start.

David Raya should keep his place in goal with Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes all starting ahead of him. We expect Jakub Kiwior to replace Jurrien Timber at left-back for the game in Italy.

In midfield, we think Arteta will go with Jorginho after his impressive North London Derby display, but Rice should come in for Thomas Partey, who needs a rest.

In attack, we think Leandro Trossard starts on the left, Raheem Sterling on the right, Gabriel Jesus up top and Kai Havertz in the number 10 role.

Ethan Nwaneri impressed when he came on against Spurs, but starting him against a very physical Atalanta side away from home might not be a wise idea.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Atalanta: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Jorginho, Rice, Trossard, Havertz, Sterling, Jesus.