Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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

Arsenal face Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday night and the squad have been training ahead of the league phase opener

by · football.london

Mikel Arteta has been handed a huge injury boost ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Atalanta on Thursday night.

The Gunners are due to fly to Italy on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their league phase opener, with the squad training at Sobha Realty Training Centre beforehand. Riccardo Calafiori was among the group who took part in the open training session, as seen by football.london.

The Italian missed the North London Derby win at the weekend due to a calf injury picked up on international duty but is now expected to make the trip to Italy. Bukayo Saka also trained as normal despite limping off against Tottenham on Sunday. It's understood the Englishman was only suffering from cramp, however.

Elsewhere, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino were not spotted training with their teammates in north London as they continue to recover from ankle and shoulder injuries respectively. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu were also not seen training with the group. Kieran Tierney, who continues his recovery from a hamstring injury picked up at the Euros, was also absent.

READ MORE: Nwaneri to start, Sterling decision and Timber injury concern – Arsenal changes vs Atalanta

READ MORE: Arsenal receive triple title boost after North London Derby win to take to Manchester City

With five first team stars missing, a number of youngsters joined the group to make up the numbers. Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who have trained regularly with the first team this campaign, were in attendance, as were Zane Monlouis, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Josh Robinson.

Arsenal will play eight league phase matches in the Champions League this campaign, with the top eight teams automatically going through to the knockout round. After Atalanta Arsenal welcome PSG to Emirates Stadium so Arteta will be keen to secure three points in Italy. The Gunners will also play games against Shakhtar, Inter, Sporting CP, Monaco, GNK Dinamo and Girona.

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