Arsenal may axe three players to face Athletic Club as starting XI predicted

Arsenal are set to face Athletic Club in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, and Mikel Arteta will have to tweak his starting XI with at least one enforced change

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will look to find a balance in their Champions League clash away at Athletic Club with a crucial Premier League match looming. Arteta’s squad emerged as 3-0 winners over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, boosting their league campaign heading into European competition in midweek.

Summer signing Martin Zubimendi was the star of the show as he scored twice, including a stunning volley from the edge of the box in the first half. A Viktor Gyokeres goal just after half-time extended the Gunners’ lead, before Zubimendi sealed the home win with a powerful header to make it 3-0.

However, not everything went smoothly on Saturday as captain Martin Odegaard had to leave the pitch early in the first half due to a persistent shoulder injury. Arteta will likely be anxious about his skipper’s fitness ahead of their Champions League outing, but Zubimendi’s recent performances demonstrate that they have sufficient midfield depth.

Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain unavailable for Arsenal on Tuesday evening, meaning Arteta will be relying on some less seasoned stars to spearhead the attack in the European competition. Defender Ben White made a return to the matchday squad on Saturday after recovering from an injury, sitting on the bench alongside new loanee Piero Hincapie.

Midfield mainstay Declan Rice came on during the Forest game, presumably being rested for the Champions League opener. Cristhian Mosquera has shone as he stepped in for William Saliba in defence following the Frenchman’s ankle knock.

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Saliba could make a swifter comeback than anticipated after rejoining training on Friday, though Saturday’s Premier League fixture came a little too early. Speaking about Saliba and White’s availability before the Forest clash, Arteta said: “Willy trained today so we’ll have a decision to make whether we play him or not, very good news. The rest [trained] as usual, and Ben White as well, Ben’s OK.”

The French defender would normally be amongst Arteta’s first picks on the teamsheet, yet the boss is probably keeping one eye on Arsenal’s crucial encounter with Manchester City on Sunday. This suggests the Gunners gaffer will make some strategic choices to preserve his key stars for the Premier League whilst attempting to secure victory with a slighty weakened side.

It’s probable, therefore, that Mosquera will retain his starting berth against Athletic Club on Tuesday, even should Saliba be declared fit for the European curtain-raiser. Odegaard doesn’t appear available for Tuesday’s encounter, so Arteta may well turn to Zubimendi to occupy the Norwegian’s role alongside Mikel Merino and Declan Rice.

There’s the prospect of 15-year-old Max Dowman smashing another milestone by becoming the youngest Champions League participant in history, with Arteta perhaps conscious of overworking Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. However, it’s extremely unlikely that Dowman will get the nod ahead of Madueke, considering his recent outstanding displays both as a Gunner and on international duty with England.

The backline of Jurrien Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori will probably stay unchanged to maintain some stability within the squad, whilst Gyokeres will be keen to extend his scoring streak in yet another tournament for the Gunners.

Looking ahead to the journey to Bilbao, Arteta said: “I’m now preparing to win in Bilbao which is going to be incredible. I hope you all go because it’s one of the best places to go, north of Spain, that’s where I’m from. I think you’re going to enjoy it guys and an incredible stadium atmosphere to play football.”

Discussing the influence of his fresh summer additions, the manager added: “I have no question in terms of what we want and dressing room and feeling part of that or the support that we’re going to have from our people, no question. But then things have to click and go well for you in the first instances.

“We have tried to create the right environment for them and the quality is there. I’m very glad that’s so early already. You can see that they’re going to add so much value to the team.”

The majority of Arteta’s team practically selects itself, although the Spaniard will likely consider shuffling several players around to guarantee he has the optimal opportunity of securing consecutive victories against Athletic Club and City.

With Odegaard sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Rice is set to return to the starting line-up. Despite doubts over potential squad selection, Madueke, Eze and Mosquera are expected to retain their places in the team, as Arteta’s injury problems continue to have an impact.

Arsenal’s predicted starting XI against Athletic Club

(4-3-3) Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze.

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