Arsenal will get their Champions League campaign underway against Atalanta on Thursday.
Mikel Arteta will be desperate to see his Arsenal side seriously compete in Europe’s elite club competition this season.
The Champions League is embracing a new format this time around, which will see the Gunners take part in an initial league phase, rather than competing in a group stage as they have in previous editions of the competition.
The North London club will play eight times in this league stage, against eight different opponents, with four matches to be played away from home and four at the Emirates Stadium.
Whilst the Gunners will want to compete as strongly as possible in this league stage, Arteta may well take a more pragmatic approach to this clash with Atalanta, as he will want his players to be fresh for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
This could see the Spanish coach make significant changes from the side that beat Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby last time out.
Ethan Nwaneri could take next step in his Arsenal career
Ethan Nwaneri was handed his third senior outing by Arteta against Spurs. The 17-year-old came on as a late substitute on derby day, and looked comfortable despite the scale of the occasion.
Nwaneri was able to show against Spurs that he is ready to compete at the highest level, and this Champions League fixture could be the ideal opportunity to hand the Hale End academy sensation his first ever start. With Martin Odegaard injured there is an obvious place in the team for the teenager.
Gabriel Jesus to shine in the Champions League again
Gabriel Jesus was another to cameo against Tottenham, as he has now returned to fitness.
The Brazilian striker may have fallen behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order, but he has an excellent record in the Champions League, and that ought to give him a much-needed confidence boost heading into this fixture if he were to be named in the XI to take on Atalanta.
Raheem Sterling ready for first Arsenal start
Raheem Sterling made his Arsenal debut on Sunday, and will now be eager to make his first start for the North London club.
Just as Arteta would be able to afford Havertz a rest by playing Jesus up front, he could also give Bukayo Saka a night off by bringing Sterling into the team.
The 29-year-old winger has plenty of Champions League experience and will be eager to impress.
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