The Champions League returns on Tuesday, with Arsenal beginning their group phase campaign with a trip to Spain to face Athletic Club.
The Gunners cruised to a convincing 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, meaning Mikel Arteta’s side have now won three of their four Premier League games so far this term.
Injuries continue to be a problem for the Spaniard, though, who has a number of difficult decisions to make ahead of his side’s trip to Bilbao.
Here, we predict the XI that Arteta could select for the game.
Goalkeeper
David Raya started 13 of Arsenal’s 14 matches in the Champions League last term as the Gunners reached the semi-finals, and the Spaniard is set to keep his place for the trip to Bilbao. So far this season the ex-Brentford man has kept three clean sheets in four games.
Defenders
At the back, Jurrien Timber is set to line up once again at right-back. The Dutchman has been in fine form so far this term, scoring twice and providing an assist in four matches.
In the centre of defence, William Saliba could return to partner Gabriel. Saliba missed Arsenal’s win over Notts Forest and was replaced by new signing Cristhian Mosquera, who impressed at The Emirates. The France international is likely to return to the starting line-up having returned to full fitness.
On the left of defence, Riccardo Calafiori is set to start once again. The Italy international has scored and provided two assists for Arteta’s side so far this term.
Ben White remains sidelined through injury.
Saliba is set to return form injury on Tuesday (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)
Midfielders
Arteta has a decision to make in midfield, with captain Martin Odegaard ruled out through injury after being forced off against Forest on Saturday.
Declan Rice was rested last time out, but the England international is likely to return to action in Bilbao. He could be joined in the middle of the park by Spanish duo Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. Zubimendi scored twice against Forest, while Merino netted twice for the Gunners in the knockout stages of last season’s Champions League.
Zubimendi scored twice against Nottingham Forest last time out (Photo: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy)
Forwards
In attack, talisman Bukayo Saka remains sidelined and his England teammate Noni Madueke is therefore set to start, having impressed in the early weeks of the season. Madueke is yet to score since joining Arsenal from rivals Chelsea over the summer, but the winger was impressive against Forest and is set to start on the right flank.
Striker Viktor Gyokeres will start in the centre, spearheading Arsenal’s attack. The Swede has scored three goals for Arsenal since joining over the summer, and fellow strikers Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both remain injured.
On the left, fellow new signing Eberechi Eze is set to start. The England international made his full debut for Arsenal against Forest, having impressed as a substitute against Liverpool prior to the international break. The ex-Crystal Palace man will make his debut in the competition if he is involved.
Gyokeres has scored three goals in four games since joining Arsenal (Photo: Craig Mercer/Alamy)
Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze