Riccardo Calafiori has returned to first team training after missing the north London derby with a calf issue sustained during the Interlull.
The defender picked up the injury in freak circumstances during Italy’s 3-1 win over France on 6 September – a tumbling Ousmane Dembele raked his studs down the back of both his legs – and he was soon substituted before being returned to London Colney to begin his rehab.
His return to fitness means Mikel Arteta now has an extra option at left-back should he feel the need to rest Jurrien Timber for tomorrow night’s clash with Atalanta in Bergamo.
While Jakub Kiwior is also available, the continued absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) has stretched resources in that department.
After serving his one-game domestic ban on Sunday, Declan Rice will also be available, as will Bukayo Saka, who trained as normal despite struggling with cramp in the closing stages of the north London derby.
There remain several other notable absentees. Mikel Merino’s fractured shoulder and Martin Odegaard’s ankle sprain mean we’re unlikely to see either until after the next international break.
While sort of speculating with regards to the latter, the fact the club opted to hide the his lower left leg with a football in this season’s squad photo is a clear hint all is not well with the Norwegian’s joint.
Arsenal fly to Italy this afternoon before Mikel Arteta and a player face the press later this evening.
Really tough decision for Arteta. If we rest a few key players I’d happily walk away with a draw on Thursday.
But if we go big then we have to win. And the impact it’ll have on Sunday will be obvious.
Rather you than me. In Mikel we trust!
I think 5 wins and draw gets you through to the last 16. I’d hope we can try to wrap up qualification as early as possible.
According to Opta, 16 points gives a 98% chance of finishing in the top eight. But for 15 points, the probability drops to 73%, and for 14 points it’s just 28%.
I’d rather we wrap the points up as early as possible, than face having to win two Champions League matches in January amidst a run of Villa-Spurms-Wolves-Manch115ter.
Phew, hope they are both strong enough come Sunday. We need them, especially Bukayo!
I’d play Sterling over Saka for the Atlanta game so that he can get a rest. Drawing or losing that match is not the end of the world.
Mote than Sterling I want to see
Ethan Nwaneri start.
I’d rest as many as possible with both eyes on Sunday. Especially since the 115ers play at HOME TODAY and we are AWAY TOMORROW. What kind of scheduling shite is that?
Yeh, makes you wonder how many fingers the 115ers have in the pot!
I sort of fancy Sterling to start vs city. I feel like Saka has been a bit stifled by Akanji in recent games there. But more than this I just fancy Sterling to turn up big time. He strikes me as someone who will hold a bit of a grudge and I don’t think he was exactly happy with how things ended at city. He could be extra motivated.
Sterling only starts that game if Saka isn’t fit. Saka is NEVER rested for big games, and it’s unnecessary pressure on RS against his old club.
Time for Sterling to shine
6 left backs, half of them injured. Wow! 😅
[Mandalorian] “This is the way”
And we all thought Arteta was buying too many 😂
Never enough left backs
You couldn’t even make it up! 😂
There’s obviously something wrong with Martin for sure…….. why else would the Arsenal choose to obscure the most beautiful ankle in world football?
Martin’s left ankle and Bukayo’s right- there must be a hidden message somewhere. Or maybe Declan rolled both balls in front of them just to delay the photographer? The mind boggles with possibilities..
Ode actually wears a football on his left foot when he’s playing. How else do you think he’s able to do all that crazy stuff he does from the most impossible of angles on the pitch?
One problem is the new format. No one can be sure how many points will be needed to go through in the top 8, avoiding an extra (and uncertain) two-match playoff. On the other hand, I think–but I’m not sure–that if you go through top 8, the position is irrelevant for determining the knock-out fixtures, so coming in 8th is as good as first. Given that, although Atalanta is a good team, starting Sterling and Gabriel Jesus is not the same as starting (with respect) Eddie and Reiss Nelson. I think I would go with Kiwior as well and–depending on… Read more »
I read something about a “top 2 seeding” so they are separated until a potential final – not sure that is accurate so if someone knows for sure?
This is what UEFA says: “To strengthen the synergy between the league and knockout phases, and to provide more sporting incentive during the league phase, the pairings of the knockout phase will also be partly determined by the league phase rankings, with a draw which likewise determines and lays out the route for teams to reach the final.” No, I don’t understand it either, though I think it means that coming in higher in the top eight will (or may) create some sort of advantage later. I am certainly in favour of strengthening synergy (I mean, who isn’t?). I am… Read more »
That is correct (1 and 2 being on opposite sides of the bracket such that they couldn’t meet prior to the final). It’s a “tennis-style bracket,” so there is incentive to finish as high in the table as possible. Theoretically, finishing third or fourth will increase chances of an easier round of 16 opponent than finishing fifth or sixth, for example. My opinion, however, is there are enough moving parts (changes in form for teams, key injuries, upsets in the first knockout round, etc.) that finishing near the top is great but I’d agree that top 8 and top 16… Read more »
Thursday night champions league football is some crazy business. Doing my head in.
#anklegate – release the unedited photos!!!
I wouldn’t take tomorrow too serious , I’d rest Timber, Jorgi and Saka as we need them right for Sunday.
……………..Raya
White…Salibs….Gabi….Cala
……………..Partey..Rice
…………………..Leo
Sterliniho……..Kai…….Gabi Jesus
Start Jesus get mins into him and get him sharp. Same time release Gabi Marti from bench on 60 and hopefully with a goal , we will get a confident gabi back
Not working to further fuel the conspiracy angle here about the team photo, but if you look at Ødegaard’s socks, the Asias logo on the left one is MUCH lower than the right. Potentially because of the material being stretched and pulled lower by a greater surface area below?
Not *wanting*