BREAKING NEWS: Raheem Sterling and young prospect Nwaneri are set to start as Arsenal make eight changes to their lineup for the upcoming Champions League clash against Atalanta. The Gunners are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, showcasing a heavily rotated squad. This tactical adjustment comes as Mikel Arteta looks to manage player fitness and navigate through a challenging fixture list. With several key players out due to injury, Arsenal will rely on fresh faces to step up in this crucial match

Arsenal is currently facing a major injury crisis, resulting in several key players being unavailable.

Despite these challenges, the Gunners achieved a narrow 1-0 win in their recent North London Derby against Tottenham.

Players such as Kieran Tierney, Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mikel Merino, and Riccardo Calafiori missed the match.

However, Mikel Arteta’s team persevered, much to the delight of their manager, who commended their resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.

Reflecting on the match, Arteta recognized the difficulties posed by the injuries but expressed pride in his squad’s response.

“We suffered because we had to adapt the plan because of the players that we had available,” Arteta noted. “But I loved it. The second we started to get that news, the team got hungrier and hungrier to play that game.”

He praised the entire club for rising to the occasion, stressing that instead of making excuses, the players tackled the challenge courageously, ultimately achieving a vital win over their local rivals.

Despite the victory, Arteta is conscious of tougher challenges ahead.

Arsenal will soon face Manchester City in a key Premier League match, which could greatly impact the league title race.

Before that, the Gunners will begin their Champions League campaign with a difficult away match against Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions.

While Arsenal are favorites, Arteta will be wary of Atalanta’s capability to challenge stronger teams, having previously defeated clubs like Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen in last season’s European tournament.

As Arsenal readies for these upcoming tests, Arteta must navigate a depleted squad.

There is some good news, as Declan Rice is set to return from suspension after missing the Tottenham match.

Rice’s return will likely enable Arsenal to revert to their preferred 4-3-3 formation, instead of the 4-2-2-2 they used against Spurs.

Nonetheless, concerns persist about other key players. Martin Odegaard’s status for the Champions League game against Atalanta remains uncertain, as his condition will be evaluated closer to the match.

Additionally, Riccardo Calafiori, who picked up a calf injury while on international duty, is hopeful of a swift return, but his availability is still unclear.

Oleksandr Zinchenko also missed the North London Derby due to a calf injury, while Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Mikel Merino are all long-term absentees.

These players are expected to miss both the Atalanta match and the upcoming game against Manchester City.

To add to Arteta’s worries, Bukayo Saka was substituted late in the Tottenham match after appearing to sustain an injury, and his fitness will be monitored ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Italy.

With these important fixtures approaching, Arteta will need to rely on the depth of his squad, finding ways to navigate the challenges posed by the growing injury crisis.

The next few matches will be crucial in shaping Arsenal’s path this season, particularly as they compete in both domestic and European tournaments.