You know the season is well and truly back when the Champions League starts up again! Arsenal begin the new campaign away at Athletic Club on Tuesday evening in the first of eight group games.
It’s a tricky start for Arsenal with Athletic Club finishing fourth in La Liga last time around but it is important that they start strong so only three points will do.
Athletic Club have had a mixed start to the season and have had a tough break with injuries lately and are missing star man Nico Williams but will be surely be really up for their first Champions League game in 11 years, especially in front of their own fans.
Areas of encouragement
After a convincing win at the weekend where the new look Arsenal attack showed signs of gelling against Forest confidence will be high that we can add to this seasons goal tally. Noni Madueke has looked particularly impressive and will be hoping to open his account sooner rather than later.
In complete contrast to the new attack, the defence is looking very settled and has been all season, even when new boy Cristhian Mosquera has been thrust into action. With only one goal conceded – and even that was an absolute worldie – Arsenal will be looking to add another cleansheet to the four they have amassed so far. They limited Forest to so few chances, it would be nice to build on this good work ahead of the big game against City at the weekend where a cleansheet would be massive.
Athletic club are also struggling with injuries and form and their Manager even admitted that the Champions League is not their priority. This could just be mind games though as I’m sure it will be different under the lights when the game kicks off.
Areas of concern
With some big games in the Premier League to come, the temptation for Arteta to rotate and rest a few key players is visible for all but Athletic Club are a serious outfit who are not to be underestimated. If Arteta rests too many, we run the risk of Athletic Club running all over us and starting the new Champions League campaign on the wrong foot. This season really will be the acid test for Arteta and rotation as balancing resting key players and retaining the same level is key.
In front of their passionate fans, Athletic Club will be eager to start fast with their high tempo pressing so Arsenal will have to weather the storm and earn the right to play if they want to take all three points.
What I’d love to see
Another Gyokeres goal would be absolutely lovely but what I’d really love was a first goal for either Madueke or Eberechi Eze. Not be be greedy but another cleansheet ahead of facing Haaland and co. at the weekend would be brilliant and a real confidence boost ahead of a massive game at The Emirates. Other than that, three points please Arsenal!
What I’d hate to see
A defeat in any form would be worse case scenario here. A draw would be disappointing but not a bad result considering the rest of our fixtures but to get beat would be a hammer blow. The squad is coping admirably with the early season injuries but another injury or two could really test us, so that’s something else I’d really hate to see.
Lineup and Team News
The Nottingham Forest game too soon for William Saliba but he has travelled for this one and will likely start the game at centre back, alongside Gabriel, with a good start key in the new Champions League Format. Saka, Havertz and Jesus remain out and the game has also come too soon for Martin Odegaard, who is still struggling with that shoulder injury. There was also worrying news regarding Ben White has he has somehow picked up another injury between appearing on the bench on Saturday and today’s game, as he also misses out.
As a result of White’s struggles, Timber has played nearly every minute so I expect his minutes to be managed here. With Saliba returning to the squad, I expect him to come straight back into the starting lineup and partner Gabriel to keep things solid at the back. This will then free up Mosquera to slide over to right back. Calafiori has also started every game and is likely to get a rest here, given his recent history with injuries, so I’m going for Lewis-Skelly at full back. A debut for Piero Hincapie will likely come from the bench as his training sessions with his new teammates are still only in single figures.
With the Manchester City game 5 days away, there’s no reason not to go strong here, especially with Port Vale the week after providing a perfect opportunity to fully rotate so Declan Rice for Mikel Merino is likely the only other change to the team that started against Forest, aside from Martin Odegaard who will again be replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
Mosquera
Saliba
Gabriel
Lewis-Skelly
Zubimendi
Rice
Nwaneri
Madueke
Gyokeres
Eze
Substitues:
Kepa
Hincapie
Timber
Norgaard
Merino
Martinelli
Trossard
Dowman
Calafiori
Setford
Harriman-Annous
Kacurri
PREDICTION
This will be another tough game but I back Arsenal to win this one with the strength of their squad proving too much for Athletic Club over the 90 minutes. It will be close though – 2-0 to The Arsenal.