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Draw Champions League: Atalanta BC 0 - 0 Arsenal | Thursday 19th September | KO: 20:00 BST | TNT Sports

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Champions League is back but on a Thursday let’s go!!

Real Madrid Soccer GIF by RightNow
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First and one of the hardest games in this initial round that we’ll have with a trip to Bergamo to face last year’s Europa League champions.

Lot of injuries at the back still but hopefully Saka just had a customary limp and will be fit for this although it sounds pessimistic for Ødegaard, Calafiori and Zinchenko.

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May be a very big stage for Ethan so probably use Trossard in midfield again although we will have Rice back crucially for this.

Martinelli looks shot form wise in front of goal so may be a good full debut for an experienced CL player in Raheem.

We’ve never faced Atalanta before in a competitive match so here’s a bit about their start to the season…

Form Guide

Mixed start to the year after winning the Europa League last year getting pumped by Inter and needing a huge come back against Fiorentina yesterday.

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They’ve been busy in the transfer market… made one of their stars last year De Ketelaere a permanent signing and even added Ben Godfrey from Everton with former PL players Cuadrado, Zaniolo and Rui Patricio.

They lost the heartbeat of last years team though in Koopmeiners to Juventus who was incredible in both league and EL which may explain the iffy start.

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Danger Man

Back from injury on the weekend for his first game of the season and bagging a goal and assist against Fiorentina it has to be last year’s man of the match in the EL final Ademola Lookman.

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Also keep an eye out for new signing Mateo Retegui up top who’s bagged four in four so far this year and is top scorer in Serie A…

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Hleb's Sirush

Established Member
I havent seen enough of the Sp**s game, but I have seen a bit of Nwaneri's cameo. That boy has got it, I think he can step in for Ødegaard already.

Start him Arteta, next to Rice and TP.

Trossard-----Havertz-------Saka
---------Rice------Nwaneri
---------------TP5
Timber--Gabriel---Saliba----White
---------------Raya
If Calafiori has recovered I would start him at LB. Timber probably needs a break and a European game would also be ideal for Calafiori to make his debut.
 

MikeVinna

Established Member
Mikel is pretty stubborn with his selection. Will probably play his first XI in the PL and CL. That’s including Partey as long as Merino is out. I think there’s only one spot up for grabs for this match which is LW. Could be any of Trossard/Sterling/Martinelli. Have a feeling he’ll give Raheem his full debut here.
 

Red London

Anti-Simp Culture
I really hope Arteta is mindful of the City game and that we have more games this year in the CL to get points in.

Please rest Saka, we have another attackers fit.

Rice can play as he’s had a break. Would be nice to also rest a defender and Havertz. I’m not sure he’s gonna do all that but it would be great.
 

Red London

Anti-Simp Culture
Raya
White Saliba Kiwior Zinchenko
Partey
Nwaneri Rice
Sterling Trossard/Jesus Martinelli

This is the only time we would need to heavily rotate in the CL. Hopefully arteta is mindful of it.
 

Red London

Anti-Simp Culture
We have been absolutely ****ing SCREWED with our fixtures. I’m livid.

Go look at the Chelsea away Newcastle away week…. We play ****ing Inter away in between.

Imo the fixture list could easily cost us the title if it ends up being a close one. I’m sure city have it plain sailing as usual despite having advantages of 115 (top class depth everywhere).
 

Rex Stone

Long live the fighters

Country: Wales
Raya
White Saliba Kiwior Zinchenko
Partey
Nwaneri Rice
Sterling Trossard/Jesus Martinelli

This is the only time we would need to heavily rotate in the CL. Hopefully arteta is mindful of it.

Think Zinchenko and Calafiori are unlikely to be fit for this and Tomi is still out.

Depth at the back is diabolical rn :lol:

1726498268046.png
 

Batman

Head of Wayne foundation for benching Zinchenko

Country: USA

Player:Saliba

Could be a tricky test for Ben White. Lookman going through the best spell of his career 🔥
Yeah he's been cooking the last few months and he's relentless. He's looking to hurt you every time he gets the ball. If it were later in the season with everyone fit, I would say he's more an assignment for Timber than Blanco.
 

rotateta

Member

Country: England
Raya
White Saliba Kiwior Zinchenko
Partey
Nwaneri Rice
Sterling Trossard/Jesus Martinelli

This is the only time we would need to heavily rotate in the CL. Hopefully arteta is mindful of it.
I definitely agree we need to prioritise the weekend, if we drop points we can catch up in other games, less easy to do that in the league.

I doubt zinny will be fit and neither timber or Saka should be risked from the start.

It would be nice to start MLS but I doubt tets will, same applies to nwaneri but I expect trossard to fill the number 10 slot..

Compared to Sp**s game I would think (and hope) kiwi comes in for timber, rice in for partey (latter needed for city game), sterling starts ideally ahead of saka but more likely martinelli.

I would also like to see jesus start in
 

Rex Stone

Long live the fighters

Country: Wales

Could be a tricky test for Ben White. Lookman going through the best spell of his career 🔥

Striker scoring that looks a decent target man for them as well.

6’1 and all his goals from open play been headers this year. Looks a physical type of player so probably wouldn’t go with Kiwior as CB for this.
 

Rasmi

Calls It Like It Isn't

Country: England
Raya
White
Saliba
Kiwior
Zinny if he is fit

Partey sub Jorginho on later
Rice
Nwaneri

Sterling
Jesus
Trossard

Give Skelly some real minutes
 

rotateta

Member

Country: England
Yeah he's been cooking the last few months and he's relentless. He's looking to hurt you every time he gets the ball. If it were later in the season with everyone fit, I would say he's more an assignment for Timber than Blanco.
...except starting timber Thursday then wanting him to play 2 days later is asking for trouble.

He has to be managed carefully, just a real shame Tomi, zinny, calafiori and even kt all unavailable right now and too early for mls at left back too.

Play white right back for this one and then demonstrate that it was sensible to keep kiwi around by playing him left back makes most sense.

Will be good to be able to rotate rb a bit more later in the season as players return
 

Rasmi

Calls It Like It Isn't

Country: England
...except starting timber Thursday then wanting him to play 2 days later is asking for trouble.

He has to be managed carefully, just a real shame Tomi, zinny, calafiori and even kt all unavailable right now and too early for mls at left back too.

Play white right back for this one and then demonstrate that it was sensible to keep kiwi around by playing him left back makes most sense.

Will be good to be able to rotate rb a bit more later in the season as players return
We had 5 kids on the bench. If no Zinny play one of them instead of risking Timber. Overplaying a player who has not played for a year is just irresponsible
 

rotateta

Member

Country: England
We had 5 kids on the bench. If no Zinny play one of them instead of risking Timber. Overplaying a player who has not played for a year is just irresponsible
I agree with rasmi!😬🤣

Kiwi has to start either as left back or centre back. If he doesn't he will have every right to ask why he was not allowed to leave! Perfect game to play him for 90mins, management failure on many levels if we don't.
 
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