In the starting lineup for Arsenal in their Champions League opener against Atalanta BC is Gabriel Jesus. The Brazil international returned from a groin injury off the bench in the North London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, where Kai Havertz led the line with support from Leandro Trossard.
However, Trossard has now been demoted from the starting XI to make room for Jesus, meaning that Havertz will presumably play in the number 10 role vacated by the injured Martin Odegaard. Mikel Arteta made two changes to Arsenal’s starting lineup in Bergamo, with Declan Rice coming straight back into midfield following his Premier League ban.
Ex-Arsenal man, Declan Rice, helmed the Atalanta defense. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, Mikel Merino, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still absent for Arsenal. The team has five current academy products on the bench alongside Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling.
Meanwhile, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini made just one change to his side from their 3-2 Serie A win over Fiorentina by bringing in Davide Zappacosta for Raoul Bellanova at right wing-back. Sead Kolasinac, a familiar face, starts as part of the Dea back three, reuniting with the team he made 118 appearances for between 2017 and 2022.
Atalanta BC’s lineup includes Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Retegui, Lookman. Subs: Patricio, Rossi, Kossounou, Cuadrado, Pasalic, Zaniolo, Bellanova, Samardzic, Palestra, Brescianini, Vlahovic, Del Lungo.
Arsenal’s lineup features Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli. Subs: Neto, Porter, Kiwior, Trossard, Sterling, Jorginho, Calafiori, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Oulad M’Hand.
