Ethan Nwaneri returns, Calafiori and Sterling decisions - Arsenal line ups vs Dinamo Zagreb

Arsenal face Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night looking to all but confirm their progression to the last-16 of the competition. With a strong run so far, they sit third in the table with this clash against 24th-place Croatian side and then a trip to 30th-place Girona to finish the first phase.

This is the first of two expanded matches from the typical six of the old group phase system. Arteta’s side have been stretched and injuries have only made the situation so much more difficult.

That said, there were some positive pieces of news for the Arsenal manager with several returning players spotted before the clash during the open training session. But what should the Arteta do to face Dinamo on Wednesday? Our football.london writers have their say on what they would do…

Tom Canton

It was a very positive sight to have both Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori back among those training for Arsenal ahead of the clash with Dinamo Zagreb. The match itself presents as a great opportunity to ease them back into the fold too.

Starting one and bringing in the other is probably the way forward to spread minutes while remaining competitive against a tough challenge. Other players who could return to the team and make some rare minutes are Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior.

I have gone with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli joining Nwaneri in the forward line too as the best option considering that Leandro Trossard can come off the bench. Then he can start at the weekend against Wolves.

Canton's Arsenal XI: Timber, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Havertz, Martinelli.

Joe Doyle

It's an interesting game for Mikel Arteta, and the latest injury news perhaps makes his selection decisions a little more difficult - but in a positive manner.

David Raya naturally starts in goal, and Jurrien Timber starts at right-back with a central duo of Gabriel Magalhaes and Jakub Kiwior in William Saliba's absence. Why have a centre-back on the bench if you're not going to use him?

I think at left-back I'd be tempted to stay with Myles Lewis-Skelly starting despite Riccardo Calafiori's return to availability, just so as not to rush the Italian back in at the first time of asking. Instead, I'd bring him off the bench at some point to ensure he does get some minutes.

Then into midfield and it's slightly more straightforward. Jorginho starts for me to dictate the pace in a game where Arsenal are likely to dominate the ball. He's alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

And in attack Kai Havertz is the only real option in a central role. He starts alongside Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, for me. As with Calafiori, I'd be wary of throwing Ethan Nwaneri straight in to start. He's young and can rebound from the injury quickly, but minutes from the bench would be a better option to start with.

Joe's XI: Raya; Timber, Kiwior, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz.