Arsenal are preparing for their first Champions League game of the season as they face off against La Liga side Athletic Bilbao.
The Gunners are coming off a campaign last year where they managed to reach the semi-finals. However, they lost to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain, and will hope that they can deliver similar levels of success this year.
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Heading into the game, Arsenal come off a 3-0 win in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest, where Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres were both on the scoresheet at the Emirates.
The Gunners will fly to play against a Bilbao side who have won three of their opening five La Liga games, although they have lost their last two. Furthermore, Arsenal met them in the pre-season, and managed to secure a 3-0 win, so they’ll be hoping for more of the same this week.
But how will Mikel Arteta‘s side line up on Tuesday night?
Lewis-Skelly back into the Arsenal defence
GK – David Raya – Raya would expect to start this game ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga, unless Arteta wants to rotate and give Raya a break.
LB – Myles Lewis-Skelly –Riccardo Calafiori has been starting ahead of Lewis-Skelly so far this season, but Arteta could decide to rotate and give the 18-year-old a start.
CB – Cristhian Mosquera – Mosquera came in for Saliba against Forest and did a fantastic job, he should expect to start again.
CB – Gabriel – The Brazilian defender helped to keep a clean sheet against Postecoglou’s Forest side, and will hope for more of the same this week.
RB – Ben White – White is fully fit again, and so Arteta could decide to start him over Jurrien Timber against Bilbao.
Rice returns to midfield
CM – Martin Zubimendi – The Spaniard scored twice against Forest, including with a spectacular volley for his first goal.
CM – Mikel Merino –Merino started in place of Rice against Forest, but he could start in place of the potentially injured Odegaard against Bilbao.
CM – Declan Rice – The England international was rested against Nottingham Forest, so he could be a worthy inclusion on Tuesday night.
Martinelli replaces Eze on the left-wing
LW – Gabriel Martinelli – Simply this is Arteta using his depth, as it could be valuable to rest Eze ahead of the Man City game.
RW – Noni Madueke – The English winger was superb against Forest, and deserves to keep starting as long as Saka remains out.
ST – Viktor Gyokeres –Gyokeres is now looking for his fifth goal since joining Arsenal, it’s fair to say he’s had a good start.