Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is available to play in his side’s opening Champions League tie at Atalanta as manager Mikel Arteta targets more progress in the competition.
Saka was taken off late on in Sunday’s derby win at Tottenham as Arteta said he “could not continue”.
“Yes he was able to train today [Wednesday], he completed most of the session and he is available,” said the Gunners boss before Thursday’s match against last season’s Europa League winners.
Captain Martin Odegaard has been ruled out with a “quite significant” ankle injury but fellow midfielder Declan Rice is back after being suspended for the victory against Spurs.
Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori has made his return from injury, bolstering Arsenal’s squad ahead of their upcoming matches. The Gunners are set to face Atalanta in a friendly before their Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday. Meanwhile, City will host Inter Milan at the Etihad on Wednesday for a key Champions League encounter.
Asked whether having a day less preparation than City before their match was a disadvantage, Arteta added: “Hopefully not.
“We have so much energy from what happened on Sunday, it was great. We have recovered a few players which is very important for us as well, and we’re playing in a competition that we absolutely love, so we’re looking at the positives.”
Arsenal’s Champions League journey came to an end in the quarter-finals last season after a tough loss to Bayern Munich. Manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful that the team can take valuable lessons from that experience as they prepare for another campaign, aiming to go further in the competition this time around.
“We weren’t happy or satisfied at all because we want more,” he said.
“I think we have the ability, we certainly have the quality – and now we have to prove it.”
Former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac is among Atalanta’s ranks and he is wary of facing his old club on the back of them winning the north London derby.
“I’m happy to see my old team-mates again, it’s special,” said Kolasinac, who made 118 appearances over five seasons with the Gunners.
“It’s always difficult to play against English teams. They are physically strong. We watch a lot of the Premier League and know it will be difficult, but we have prepared well and we have a gameplan to implement.
“Arsenal won the north London derby and are full of confidence. They have great players, are solid in defence and very dangerous at set-pieces.
“We are up against a team with an excellent shape, who can press high while remaining compact. They are a young side who know their strengths – and we know ours.”
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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