Calafiori first start, Havertz benched, Rice returns - Arsenal vs Atalanta line-ups

football.london Arsenal writers name their teams to take on Atalanta in the Champions League

Arsenal kick off their Champions League journey for the brand new season in a new-look format with a trip to Italy to take on Atalanta. The Europa League winners battered Bayer Leverkusen in the final but have been hit for four already this season by Inter Milan giving Mikel Arteta plenty of encouragement to come away with a perfect start.

Injuries remain an issue for Arsenal but there is good news with some having recovered from their North London Derby problems and were involved in the pre-match training session. Arsenal know that a win here would be the perfect setup for their return to England and clash with Manchester City this weekend but managing minutes is also key.

Questions over Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri’s potential involvement have surfaced. Thankfully, we have the people to ask ready to give their views.

We asked our football.london Arsenal writers to have their say on the team they would choose for the European match...

Tom Canton

A fantastic game for the neutral but with City on the weekend perhaps a logistical nightmare for Mikel Arteta. Finding a way to integrate some rotation while keeping the team to a requisite level to take on the Europa League winners Atalanta is not easy.

The only change to the defence I’d make, following his return to training this week, is Riccardo Calafiori starting at left-back. This offers Jurrien Timber, who has suffered from load-bearing issues this summer, a much-needed rest.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta handed huge Arsenal injury boost ahead of Atalanta Champions League clash

READ MORE: What Rice and Saka did, injury boost, unexplained absence – Things spotted in Arsenal training

The midfield sees Declan Rice return for me with Thomas Partey who I would be bringing off for Jorginho in the second half, hopefully with a strong lead secured. Ethan Nwaneri is my wildcard pick for the midfield in space of Martin Odegaard as the plan to sustain the skipper’s absence goes on.

Raheem Sterling gets his first Arsenal start for me but I would keep both Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka in the forward line with him. Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard offer an entire swap to the front three later on in the game.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Atalanta: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Nwaneri; Saka, Havertz, Sterling

Kaya Kaynak

In the middle of a huge week for Arsenal, this is possibly the one time where Mikel Arteta may be able to do some rotating. I certainly would if I were him.

The balance of changes is absolutely key here but I think that Arsenal need to be smart about how they load their players this week. That said, I’m sticking with David Raya in goal.

In front of him, it feels like a big ask to get Jurrien Timber to play three starts in the space of a week as he continues to recover from his ACL injury. If I had to pick I’d rather the Dutchman be available for Manchester City, so I’m gambling on Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness and starting him at left back on his return to Italy.

In midfield I’m reverting to the 4-3-3 rather than the 4-4-2 we saw on Sunday at Spurs. I’m going for Jorginho at the base of the midfield to keep Thomas Partey fresh for City. Declan Rice obviously has to return and I’m sticking with Leandro Trossard in the midfield.

In the front three, I’m going to start Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus. The pair could be crucial against their old club off the bench on Sunday and would provide a welcome rest for Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. Bukayo Saka has to start on the right meanwhile.

Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Atalanta - Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Jorginho, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Sterling

Sam Truelove

Atalanta away is a hard fixture and Mikel Arteta's team selection should be a strong one. It is a game which Arsenal will be expected to win but it will be a very tough test.

The back line mostly picks itself but I would go for Jakub Kiwior at left-back. I would have started Riccardo Calafiori but it may be best to bring the Italian on instead given his recent injury issues. Jurrien Timber deserves a rest ahead of Man City at the weekend.

Into the midfield and I would start with a trio of Declan Rice, Jorginho and Leandro Trossard. There is a temptation to give Ethan Nwaneri his first start of the season but I would instead save that for next week in the Carabao Cup. Thomas Partey is another who needs a rest hence his benching here.

Bukayo Saka limped off against Tottenham at the weekend but trained as normal with the group on Wednesday. I would start him in Italy as there should be other chances to give him a rest later in the season if the Gunners secure all three points against Atalanta. Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus make up the front three and an ideal night would see at least one score a goal which will give them plenty of confidence going into the match with their old side on Sunday.

Truelove's Arsenal XI vs Atalanta: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Jorginho, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Sterling

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
UEFA Champions League
Watch Arsenal's Champions League games free

Prime Video is broadcasting one Champions League game every game week free for Amazon Prime members. Arsenal's upcoming fixtures include Paris Saint-Germain on October 1 and Shakhtar Donetsk on October 22, both of which are free for Prime members or those signing up for a 30-day free trial.

Every Champions League and Europa League game is also available on TNT Sports via Prime Video’s Discovery+ channel.

£0

Amazon
Get Amazon Prime here