Arsenal are in the middle of a busy week of action, with Premier League and Champions League action that will be vitally important to their season.
Mikel Arteta picked his side up after the international break with a few injury and suspension problems ahead of the North London Derby.
Despite those challenges, the Gunners responded in fine fashion, beating Tottenham thanks to a Gabriel Magalhaes header.
That was just the beginning though, with the Champions League following in a clash against Atalanta on Thursday night.
The backdrop to that game though was the return to the Premier League in action against Manchester City, who appear to be the side’s title rivals once again.
Mikel Arteta discusses Arsenal fixture schedule challenge
Arsenal face a huge challenge in playing three huge matches in the span of one week, but that was made even tougher by the scheduling of those fixtures.
While Man City played their Champions League tie at home to Inter Milan on Wednesday night, Arsenal had to play their match away at Atalanta on Thursday night.
The competition had never traditionally been played so late in the week, but with the change to the format, it’s a new challenge some will face.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, it doesn’t give them the ideal preparation they would have wanted for such a big clash.
Arteta was asked about that by the press before the match, claiming: “Is that a disadvantage? Hopefully not.
“Hopefully we have so much energy from what happened on Sunday [1-0 win at Tottenham] as well. It was great. We are looking at the positives.”
When asked about the team selection ahead of Man City, the Arsenal boss told TNT Sports: “Our full focus is on the game today, we have a really tough match against a great opponent.
“First of all, we have to do the job today to earn the right to win the game then when we will discuss what we have to do against Man City.”
- READ MORE: Who are the six Arsenal wonderkids named on the bench for Atalanta Champions League clash?
Arsenal team selection conundrum
Arteta named a strong side to face Atalanta on Thursday, with only a couple of changes made from the team that won against Tottenham.
It brings about questions over whether the manager should’ve rotated more than he did, not least with a quick turnaround over the weekend.
With plenty of options in the squad, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Riccardo Calafiori on the bench, it’s a question he may face if things don’t go to plan.
It remains to be seen if that will happen though, with the Arsenal players looking to do everything in their power to win every point up for grabs.
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