Atalanta vs Arsenal – Predicted Starting XIs

It is expected that Mikel Arteta will not start Bukayo Saka in their Champions League meeting with Atalanta on Thursday. Due to their meeting with Manchester City on Sunday, changes in the frontline could see Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus start the match in place of Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

With doubts over the likes of Zinchenko and Calafiori, as well as an injury for Tomiyasu, Arteta may make a change at left-back. Jakub Kiwior may come into the side, resting Jurrien Timber for Sunday.

Declan Rice is also expected to return to the side on Thursday having missed out on Sunday’s derby due to suspension. After an impressive performance against Tottenham, it is likely his midfield partner will be Jorginho, with Thomas Partey being rested from the squad.

Arsenal by no means have an easy introduction to this season’s European campaign. Atalanta will look to break English hearts once again, as they eliminated Liverpool from last season’s Europa League semi-finals.

This season sees the Champions League’s group stages take a new form with the much-debated Swiss Model comprising of eight group games against different opponents (four home, four away) while pitting all 36 teams against each other in one single table.

The Gunners’ European campaign therefore sees them travel across Europe, taking on sides from France, Italy, Portgual, Spain, Croatia and Ukraine, before discovering if they will make the knockout rounds of the competition. Incredibly, the north London side will need to play in two Champions League games after their involvement in the third round of the FA Cup.