Arsenal XI vs Atalanta – Predicted lineup and team news | OneFootball

Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign with a trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta.

It will be a first-ever meeting between Arsenal and Atalanta, as the Gunners look to start their European season with a positive result in the competition’s new-look format.

Mikel Arteta is anticipating a tough challenge, however, with Atalanta having upset the odds to win the Europa League last season. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side eliminated Liverpool on route to that success, before beating German double winners Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final.

Having reached the quarter-finals on their Champions League return in 2023/24, Arteta is confident that Arsenal have learned lessons from that campaign, their first in this competition for six years.

Arsenal XI vs Atalanta – Predicted lineup and team news

Arsenal team news

Declan Rice is set to return for Arsenal having missed the North London derby win at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday through suspension. The England international will be expected to take his place in a midfield that will be without Martin Odegaard, whose ankle issue is worse than first feared. Odegaard suffered damage to his ankle ligaments while representing Norway during September’s international break.

Riccardo Calafiori is also available for selection again, while Raheem Sterling is pushing for a first start after making his Arsenal debut as a substitute against Spurs at the weekend. Sterling has previous against this week’s opponents, having scored a Champions League hat-trick for Manchester City against Atalanta in October 2019.

Bukayo Saka was withdrawn during the North London derby and has trained this week, though might not be risked given the looming Premier League clash with Manchester City at the weekend.

Jurrien Timber is expected to retain his place at left-back having started the season in impressive form. The Dutchman missed almost the entire 2023/24 campaign after suffering an ACL injury on his Arsenal debut. Back to full fitness, he has shone at full-back. Mikel Merino (shoulder), Kieran Tierney (thigh), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Zinchenko (calf) are all out of contention

Arsenal predicted line up

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Jorginho, Partey, Rice; Sterling, Trossard, Havertz.

When do Arsenal play Atalanta?

Arsenal travel to face Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium on Thursday September 19th. Kick-off is at 20:00 (BST).

What TV channel is Atalanta vs Arsenal on?

The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1. Coverage starts at 19:00 BST.

Read – Arsenal urged to show ‘different face’ in Odegaard absence

See more – Arteta wants Champions League ‘belief’ from Arsenal

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