Arsenal predicted XI vs Atalanta in the Champions League as Mikel Arteta makes Ethan Nwaneri call

Add as preferred source on Google

Mikel Arteta certainly wouldn’t have had too much time to bask in the glory of Arsenal’s 1-0 North London derby win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Arsenal are about to jet off to Bergamo in Italy to face Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday, a game which proceeds a trip to the Etihad three days later.

Two more vital away games for the Gunners, who have already been victorious over Unai Emery’s impressive Aston Villa side on the road this season.

That being said, with such a busy schedule to navigate and a crucial game against Manchester City to bear in mind, Arteta will surely make changes against Atalanta.

Ideally, Arsenal would be full strength, but some of the players they can turn on the bench certainly don’t look out of place in the XI.

Arsenal set to start Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling away in Italy

All in all, Arteta is expected to make three changes to the side that beat Spurs 1-0 on the weekend, meaning starts for Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling.

Declan Rice is also back available and will head straight into Arteta’s starting line up.

And whilst there’s a strong argument for Arsenal to start Ethan Nwaneri against Atalanta, it seems most likely that Kai Havertz will drop back into the number 10 role.

Elsewhere, all of Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard will be handed a rest ahead of City, three players who could be at risk of losing their start anyway.

Although the Arsenal manager would also love to be able to call upon the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mikel Merino for such a game, Arteta’s improved squad depth is already starting to tell.

Jorginho has warned Arsenal about Atalanta

Alan Shearer was amazed by Jorginho’s display against Spurs on the weekend, a player who seems to retain his match sharpness even when playing very few minutes.

The experienced Italian is surely set to start back in his home country, especially considering how effective he was in the derby.

In truth, Partey’s spot could well be up for grabs right now – he’s definitely not the player he was one or two years ago.

Arsenal were willing to sell Partey this summer, and although he’ll be an important player given he ended up staying, it’s clearly an area in which the Gunners can upgrade.

That being said, there may even be some temptation to play Rice as the six against Atalanta, a position he may return to once Merino is fit.