Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke are in contention to start for Arsenal as they take on Club Brugge in the Champions League
07:00, 10 Dec 2025
Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke are in contention to start for Arsenal against Club Brugge
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Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke are in contention to start for Arsenal against Club Brugge(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal take on Club Brugge in the sixth matchday of the UEFA Champions League, aiming to secure six wins from six in the competition. There is however a significant focus on the squad’s fitness levels and an expectation for rotation.
The defeat at Aston Villa was a painful one, and one that the team are keen to respond to as quickly as possible. This European battle precedes a home tie with Wolves, as Mikel Arteta therefore has some flexibility while still having an expectation of a win.
These games are often very difficult to predict how the Spaniard might decide to set up. However, football.london has given its take on how we expect the team to be selected for Wednesday evening’s clash.
David Raya
So far, David Raya has been the pick between the sticks for the Champions League matches, but equally, this could be an opportunity to give Kepa Arrizabalaga a chance again before the League Cup quarter-final and next month’s FA Cup third round face-off with Portsmouth.
Ben White
The right-back how returned to the Arsenal starting line-up after a period out of the side, aided by the injuries in the back line. With those issues still present, it is not expected that the potential England international will return to the bench yet.
Jurrien Timber
With those injuries, and despite the minutes that Jurrien Timber has played it is still highly likely the Dutchman will be called upon. William Saliba might be close to a return, but the Frenchman is unlikely to be risked.
Riccardo Calafiori
The Italian is suspended for the hosting of Wolves at the weekend and it therefore is expected he might start as one of the back two. This also allows Piero Hincapie to get a rest after playing plenty of matches.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
With Hincapie rested and Calafiori moving into the middle, it makes sense then that Myles Lewis-Skelly would come into the left-back role and the youngster then can get some important minutes before he starts again in the league on Saturday.
Christian Norgaard
A forgotten man to many perhaps and rightly so as Norgaard has not started a game since the League Cup clash with Port Vale. Many have argued that Arteta should have utilised the midfielder to offer greater rest opportunities to both Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.
Eberechi Eze
He suffered a bit of a nightmare performance at Aston Villa, in which Eze was hauled off at half-time, having been responsible for Matty Cash’s unchallenged shot at the back post, which led to the first goal. He returns here to the central role where he should be able to find his best work.
Ethan Nwaneri
Similarly to Norgaard, another player who many argue should have been getting more minutes is Ethan Nwaneri. This midfield three is the same that started the 2-0 win at Port Vale and could return here.
Noni Madueke
Bukayo Saka’s chance to get an important rest emerges here, and that means allowing Noni Madueke to start in the right wing position. It could have been a game where 15-year-old Max Dowman got another chance, but an ankle injury has since seen him replaced by Gabriel Jesus in the squad.
Viktor Gyokeres
Returning to the starting line-up for the first time since Burnley and his injury, the Swede needs to get into the swing of things more often with regular starts and here could be another opportunity. With Kai Havertz hoped to be returning soon, if Gyokeres doesn’t find form quickly, he might find the bench a much more familiar place.
Gabriel Martinelli
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The Brazilian has a chance to make history in Belgium and become the first Arsenal player to score in five successive UEFA Champions League matches. His last four goals established some strong form, which was interrupted by injury, but now he has returned and is ready to rediscover that run again.
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