Calafiori first start, Havertz benched, Rice returns – Arsenal vs Atalanta line-ups

Riccardo Calafiori could be in line to make his first Arsenal start against Atalanta

Arsenal kick off their Champions League journey for the brand new season in a new-look format with a trip to Italy to take on Atalanta. The Europa League winners battered Bayer Leverkusen in the final but have been hit for four already this season by Inter Milan giving Mikel Arteta plenty of encouragement to come away with a perfect start.

Injuries remain an issue for Arsenal but there is good news with some having recovered from their North London Derby problems and were involved in the pre-match training session. Arsenal know that a win here would be the perfect setup for their return to England and clash with Manchester City this weekend but managing minutes is also key.

Questions over Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri’s potential involvement have surfaced. Thankfully, we have the people to ask ready to give their views.

We asked our football.london Arsenal writers to have their say on the team they would choose for the European match…

Tom Canton

A fantastic game for the neutral but with City on the weekend perhaps a logistical nightmare for Mikel Arteta. Finding a way to integrate some rotation while keeping the team to a requisite level to take on the Europa League winners Atalanta is not easy.

The only change to the defence I’d make, following his return to training this week, is Riccardo Calafiori starting at left-back. This offers Jurrien Timber, who has suffered from load-bearing issues this summer, a much-needed rest.

The midfield sees Declan Rice return for me with Thomas Partey who I would be bringing off for Jorginho in the second half, hopefully with a strong lead secured. Ethan Nwaneri is my wildcard pick for the midfield in space of Martin Odegaard as the plan to sustain the skipper’s absence goes on.

Raheem Sterling gets his first Arsenal start for me but I would keep both Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka in the forward line with him. Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard offer an entire swap to the front three later on in the game.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Atalanta: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Nwaneri; Saka, Havertz, Sterling

Kaya Kaynak

In the middle of a huge week for Arsenal, this is possibly the one time where Mikel Arteta may be able to do some rotating. I certainly would if I were him.

The balance of changes is absolutely key here but I think that Arsenal need to be smart about how they load their players this week. That said, I’m sticking with David Raya in goal.

In front of him, it feels like a big ask to get Jurrien Timber to play three starts in the space of a week as he continues to recover from his ACL injury. If I had to pick I’d rather the Dutchman be available for Manchester City, so I’m gambling on Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness and starting him at left back on his return to Italy.

In midfield I’m reverting to the 4-3-3 rather than the 4-4-2 we saw on Sunday at Spurs. I’m going for Jorginho at the base of the midfield to keep Thomas Partey fresh for City. Declan Rice obviously has to return and I’m sticking with Leandro Trossard in the midfield.

In the front three, I’m going to start Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus. The pair could be crucial against their old club off the bench on Sunday and would provide a welcome rest for Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. Bukayo Saka has to start on the right meanwhile.

Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Atalanta – Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Jorginho, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Sterling

Sam Truelove

Atalanta away is a hard fixture and Mikel Arteta’s team selection should be a strong one. It is a game which Arsenal will be expected to win but it will be a very tough test.

The back line mostly picks itself but I would go for Jakub Kiwior at left-back. I would have started Riccardo Calafiori but it may be best to bring the Italian on instead given his recent injury issues. Jurrien Timber deserves a rest ahead of Man City at the weekend.

Into the midfield and I would start with a trio of Declan Rice, Jorginho and Leandro Trossard. There is a temptation to give Ethan Nwaneri his first start of the season but I would instead save that for next week in the Carabao Cup. Thomas Partey is another who needs a rest hence his benching here.

Bukayo Saka limped off against Tottenham at the weekend but trained as normal with the group on Wednesday. I would start him in Italy as there should be other chances to give him a rest later in the season if the Gunners secure all three points against Atalanta. Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus make up the front three and an ideal night would see at least one score a goal which will give them plenty of confidence going into the match with their old side on Sunday.

Truelove’s Arsenal XI vs Atalanta: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Jorginho, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Sterling

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke lands enormous £3bn net worth boost after Mikel Arteta masterclass

Arsenal news as Stan Kroenke success continues alongside sporting improvement and the Gunners reap the reward

An image breaking down Stan Kroenke’s sporting empire from 2017 is all it takes to demonstrate how much things can change in a relatively short period of time. Although over half a decade has passed, of the five standout teams or franchises owned by the American, it is hard to argue that all of them haven’t improved.

Headlined by on-field success for LA Rams in NFL and Denver Nuggets winning the NBA, Kroenke’s sports and entertainment (KSE) portfolio has started to boom. There have been dips since his MLS side Colorado Rapids and NHL outfit Colorado Avalanche both found themselves bottom of respective leagues, whilst Arsenal would go on and be in the relegation zone under Mikel Arteta.

However, there has been a pattern of recent success. For the first time in nine years the Nuggets won division titles, doing it twice in a row in 2019 and 2020, before taking that crowning glory in 2022. Now run by son Josh, the Nuggets are set to go again having reached the Conference Finals again last year.

The Rams followed up a disappointing 2022 season with a playoff appearance in 2023 and have found themselves on the rise again following 13 years in American football purgatory. As for Arsenal, their so-called banter years ended sharply soon after the European Super League nightmare that saw Kroenke’s popularity hit rock bottom.

Since then he has been a peripheral figure but change has come. Via Josh and a new sporting setup including Mikel Arteta as head coach and Edu Gaspar in the central director role, Arsenal are once more challenging amongst Europe’s elite.

As well as the sporting pedigree that comes with this, Kroenke has seen his own profile and net worth rocket too. In the past 12 months alone, the real estate tycoon has seen his estimated worth balloon to £15.6billion.

According to Bloomberg, that is over £3billion more than it was in September 2023. This probably shouldn’t come as a massive surprise though.

Over the past 10 years Kroenke’s net worth has continued to shoot up regularly, going from £4billion in 2014 to double that six years later. It is still since 2020 that the biggest and most dramatic shift has taken place.

With over 300 properties alongside THF Realty (which he chairs), spanning more than 2million acres of land in USA and Canada, Kroenke’s property development and suburban infrastructure has proved lucrative.

It is the Rams that are deemed to be his biggest asset though. In January 2024, Forbes released a list of sporting owners with Kroenke’s £2.3billion jump with his NFL the second biggest. That came behind Liberty Media, which owns the entirety of Formula One, a sport.

Arsenal are estimated to be worth around £2billion, a big increase over the past year, but still 10th in the global game. Their rising commercial revenue and sporting rewards may well see that continue to grow though. The Rams, meanwhile, are valued at over three times as much with estimates of around £6.5billion.

Kroenke purchased the Rams in 2010 for just over £500million. His gradual takeover of Arsenal ended with the final 30% stake costing £550million.

If things continue to get better on the various sporting fronts then Kroenke is only likely to see this figure sprout even more.

Mikel Arteta had only kind words to say about the departures Arsenal greenlit this summer that left Bukayo Saka upset.

The Premier League giants said goodbye to three Hale End graduates with Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah leaving on permanent deals to Fulham and Crystal Palace, respectively.

A third in Reiss Nelson left the club on loan on transfer deadline day to join Smith Rowe at the Cottagers with all three Englishmen leaving Saka as the sole academy graduate in the first-team squad.

The exits of the players who Saka described as his “big brothers” left the England star admitting to missing their presence during an interview on the Men in Blazers podcast.

“Yeah, I’m not going to lie, I’ve missed them a bit you know,” said the 23-year-old. “Since I came into the first-team they were kind of like my big brothers with the way they welcome me and stuff like that.

“So yeah, it wasn’t easy to see them all go, but at the same time, I’m really happy for them because they’re three top, top players with so much quality and I’m sure they’re going to shine in the Premier League this year.”

Smith Rowe was the first to leave his boyhood club in a £34million move to Fulham, including add-ons, in what was an emotional departure to sanction for Arteta who said it was “really sad” to see the 24-year-old move on.

“When I had the talk with Emile, I really felt it,” the Gunners boss said. “First of all because I have huge gratitude because he came into the team at a tough moment. I think he was the player that made our supporters and the team click, in a way.

“I don’t know how to explain it but that was my feeling. Something changed when he came in the team. He created a different energy straight away. And I have a feeling like ‘argh’, that I have not got the best out of him. Obviously a lot of things happened in that time.

“From my side it was really sad, because I know how those boys feel when they are in that building, how hard everyone works to get them close to the first team, so I feel a huge responsibility to give them the chance. And now, can they sustain this level and make us better? That is the idea.”

Nketiah, who scored 38 goals in 168 games for Arsenal, clinched a £30m transfer to Crystal Palace last month as Arteta admitted the striker wanted more game-time than he was given at the Emirates Stadium.

“He is a player who has developed well through our academy and now he takes this opportunity with Crystal Palace,” the Spaniard said of Nketiah. “Eddie is a top professional, loved by everyone at the club, who wanted and needed to play more minutes. We wish Eddie well as he moves onto his next challenge.”

With Nelson’s move to west London occurring on transfer deadline day, Arteta previously praised the winger for his impact off the bench against Bournemouth last season where he scored a last-minute winner to keep Arsenal in the title race.

“Look at the example of Reiss. His best moment for Arsenal, it’s a moment where he played a few minutes and made a huge impact and it’s one of the best days in his life as an Arsenal player. Nobody remembers if he started or if it was off the bench. There are a lot of examples in world sport where players made the impact.”

Nelson struggled to assert himself into the Arsenal team and was sent a clear message by the Gunners boss as his place in the squad was taken by Raheem Sterling who joined the club on loan from Chelsea on the same day he left.

Having grown familiar with the winger at Manchester City, Arteta revealed just how quickly he knew he wanted to sign him. “The first call I had with him I knew in the first ten seconds we have to bring him because he really wanted it,” he said.

Sterling made his debut in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (September 15) and could feature again when the club get their Champions League campaign underway on Thursday (September 19) against Europa League winners Atalanta.

Confirmed: Five players are absent from Arsenal’s training ahead of against Atalanta match, while a key player’s return provides a significant boost for Arteta…

Arsenal’s training session has been impacted by the absence of several squad members.

Confirmation has been received that five players are not participating in Arsenal’s training ahead of their game against Atalanta, although the return of an important player offers a positive development for Arteta.

Charles Watts has disclosed that Arsenal will be missing five first-team players during Wednesday morning’s training session in preparation for their upcoming Champions League match against Atalanta.

The Gunners are currently facing an injury crisis in their midfield, with several key players absent from the squad that secured a victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby, where Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal in the second half.

Declan Rice, who was suspended for the previous match, has returned to training and is set to travel to Bergamo. However, the absence of five players from training indicates they are unlikely to participate against the reigning Europa League champions.

Five Players Absent from Arsenal Training Before Atalanta Match

Calafiori’s Return Provides Boost for Arteta.

Reporting from London Colney, journalist Charles Watts noted that while the return of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori to training is a positive development, five regular first-team players remain unavailable, which limits Arteta’s options.

Martin Odegaard is still sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during international duty, and Mikel Merino is in recovery from a shoulder fracture incurred in his first training session after joining from Real Sociedad.

Images of Arsenal Players Missing Training.

Defenders Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney are also injured and not participating in training, effectively ruling them out of the Thursday night match against the Serie A team.

Arteta faces critical decisions regarding his lineup, especially with players returning and a significant Premier League encounter against Manchester City scheduled for this Sunday, just under 72 hours after the Atalanta fixture.

Rice is expected to return to the lineup after serving his suspension, while Jorginho and Thomas Partey will be competing to retain their positions in midfield.

Jurrien Timber delivered an impressive performance at left-back against Spurs, which may result in Calafiori having to accept a spot on the bench again, even though he is fit to resume training.

What Rice and Saka did, injury boost, unexplained absence – Things spotted in Arsenal training

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori were all highlights of the Arsenal open training session which football.london gives you a glimpse behind the scenes from

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori were all highlights of the Arsenal open training session which football.london gives you a glimpse behind the scenes from

For the first time this season, the open training session for the UEFA Champions League at Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre took place. Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff were witnessed for the opening of the morning’s action from north London.

Arsenal fly to Italy Wednesday afternoon to face Serie A side Atalanta, the winners of last season’s Europa League final. The Gunners are in for a tough week with just a couple of days of recovery before then travelling to Manchester to face the champions at the Etihad Stadium.

Arteta will need to manage his squad to their peak efficiency to overcome this gauntlet however he has started the season very well despite the challenges in play. football.london was in attendance in London Colney to witness training and spotted several things from the session that are of interest.

Rice in good spirits

One big boost to Mikel Arteta’s options is the return of Declan Rice to the squad. The England international was missing from the North London Derby having been suspended in the 1-1 draw with Brighton before the break.

Although he has not been deprived of training with the group, it was evident Rice was in high spirits ahead of his playing return. Walking out with teammate Bukayo Saka, the pair engaged in a small passing drill between themselves laughing and joking – Rice could indeed start Thursday night and at the weekend.

A big boost

The aforementioned Saka did indeed come off with what looked to be a cramp at Tottenham raising some concern over his status. But as already mentioned, Saka did indeed train and looked free to move and join in with the drills and, as expected, will likely play a key role in the upcoming games.

The bigger surprise inclusion was Riccardo Calafiori who did miss the derby on Sunday due to an injury suffered with the Italian national side. He could start his first Arsenal game this week should Arteta opt to give Jurrien Timber something of a rest.

Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, Mikel Merino and Takehiro Tomiyasu were all missing through injury. Arteta will provide an update during Wednesday’s press conference.

Youngster missing

As always with the preparation for European games, Mikel Arteta calls up several young players to take part in the session and this was no exception. Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Zane Monlouis and Josh Robinson joined the now fully integrated Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

However, there was one unexplained absence in the form of Ayden Heaven. The defender has, like Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, been included in this season’s senior team photo and is highly-regarded and should have been taking part but was not spotted with the rest of the group.

If only Arsenal had had Jurrien Timber fit for the whole of last season

Key man would have been very useful last season after latest performance.

It was another solid performance defensively in the North London derby that got us yet another impressive win on the road,. A second half goal from man of the match Gabriel was all that was needed to give us the win, it was the performance of another defender however that left me and many other gooners around the world in awe, that being Jurrien Timber’s superb display at both ends of the pitch.

The Dutch international was an acquisition from Ajax in the summer of 2023 for a fee in the excess of £38million, high hopes were held for him for his debut campaign however a season ending ACL injury in the first premier league game of last season made sure we wouldn’t get to see him till the very last game of the season against Everton.

He’s started three out of the last four premier league games so far this season with him dropping arguably his best performance in an Arsenal shirt till date.

Gabriel was voted man of the match but it could’ve easily been Timber considering how he impressed Defensively and offensively, the latter in particular. Given how he dealt with the threat of Brennan Johnson and then Odobert in the second half, his tenacity and aggression was really on show in the game.

With the incident between Pedro Porro and then subsequently Vicario only further endearing him to the Arsenal faithful ,with him showing he can drop every last blood for the badge.

He had some lovely moments in the attacking third as well with him getting into some dangerous positions on the left, however his final ball and decision making in that area can still be improved upon.

It was still a very good performance though and looking at that, you do have to wonder what his presence would have done for us last season, especially earlier in the campaign where we struggled defensively particular on the left where Zinchenko wasn’t at his best. It is all good and well though given he’s back and dropping performances like this, we all hope he has a very good season with us, also establishing himself in the Dutch set up and hopefully winning a trophy along the way!

Arsenal already have their next Gabriel in “insane” Hale End teen

SPORTS NEWS

Arsenal already have their next Gabriel in “insane” Hale End teen

AdminSeptember 18, 202406 Mins

After a disappointing draw prior to the international break and injuries to Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal steadied the ship on Sunday with a statement win in the North London Derby.

Despite missing their captain and Declan Rice, Mikel Arteta’s side put in a defensive masterclass and limited Tottenham Hotspur to few, if any, genuine chances before Gabriel Magalhães nodded home the winner in the 62nd minute from a Bukayo Saka corner.

It was a goal that we have become accustomed to seeing from the Gunners in recent years and was the perfect way for the Brazilian colossus to top off an exceptional display and brush off some of the mistakes he’s made in his first few games this season.

Alongside his defensive partner, William Saliba, the 26-year-old fan favourite has become an essential part of the North Londoners’ title-challenging side over the last couple of years, and while fans will be hoping he stays at the club for many years to come, they can rest assured that a promising youngster in the academy could be his long-term heir down the line.

Gabriel’s Arsenal Career

It’s been just over four years since Arsenal agreed to pay LOSC Lille around £23m for the services of a then 22-year-old Gabriel, and while that was a reasonable sum of money for a player not many were familiar with in England at the time, it would be fair to describe it as a bargain in the years since.

While the São Paulo-born titan’s early years in England went under the radar somewhat due to the club’s position at the time, he has since established himself as one of the very best defenders in the league over the last couple of seasons, as demonstrated by his inclusion in the most recent PFA Team of the Year.

Moreover, not only has the “absolutely unstoppable” monster, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, helped create a brilliant defence that was the most effective in the league last season, but he’s also become a source of goals for the North Londoners.

Gabriel’s Premier League record
Appearances	136
Goals	15
Assists	0
Goal Involvements per Match	0.11
All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, since joining, the 6 foot 3 ace has made 172 competitive appearances for the club, in which he has scored 16 goals and provided one assist, although 15 of those goals have come in just 136 Premier League games..

Overall, Gabriel has become an undroppable star in Arteta’s title-challenging Arsenal side, and while he’ll likely remain a starter for quite some time, the club already have a youngster on their hands who could eventually step into the team in his place.

Why Fans Should Be Excited About Ayden Heaven

Yes, the academy gem in question is 17-year-old Ayden Heaven.

Now, due to his age, it’s unlikely that the young Englishman is going to see much in the way of significant game time this season or the next, for that matter, but he was on the bench alongside several other Hale Enders on Sunday afternoon, which is an indication in and of itself that the club think there is something there.

The good news is that they’re right, and while most fans will be familiar with the 6 foot 2 centre-back thanks to his impressive appearances during preseason, he’s also been putting in brilliant performances for the junior sides

For example, the young “beast”, as dubbed by podcaster Will Balsam, has already racked up 36 appearances across the Gunners’ various youth teams in which he’s provided an assist, and while the vast majority of said appearances have been at centre-back, he’s also played at left-back and even in midfield.

It’s this flexibility, along with his “insane” passing range, as described by Balsam, that could see the exciting prospect finally push his way into the first team a couple of years from now.

OPINIONWilliam Saliba transfer ‘interest’ emerges as Arsenal get £100m blockbuster deal update

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OPINIONWilliam Saliba transfer ‘interest’ emerges as Arsenal get £100m blockbuster deal update

AdminSeptember 18, 202407 Mins

Arsenal will be hoping to take advantage of several transfer opportunities in the coming years, while preventing other clubs from poaching star assets. The Gunners have made great strides towards becoming one of the best teams in Europe through smart recruitment but, with that, comes the threat of other top clubs taking an interest.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard have come on leaps and bounds since getting into the senior team. Though Arsenal are now competing for trophies, they are yet to win the major titles under Mikel Arteta and, with that, there will always be concern that other clubs will see it as an opportunity to take their best players if they can ‘promise’ them a better pathway to silverware.

The aforementioned trio have all recently signed new contracts to stay at the club, but that does not necessarily mean they are completely against leaving. Realistically, though, only the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and potentially Manchester City would have the capacity to sign a top Arsenal star.

Saliba is one name being heavily mooted across Europe – with the 23-year-old in the conversation as being the best central defender in the world. However, the Gunners will also be able to sign players from those four clubs with Jamal Musiala as one name already emerging of interest.

So, with all that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest Arsenal transfer news and rumours, while also providing our inside take on those whispers currently doing the rounds;

Saliba Exit Latest

Arsenal could be facing the prospect of Real Madrid and PSG taking an interest in signing William Saliba. Interest from France is prominent in both Saliba and centre-back partner Gabriel with Los Blancos set to target either the former or Tottenham star Cristian Romero – according to The Independent.

Given his Marseille links, Saliba arriving at PSG may not be too well received, though a high-profile switch to the Spanish capital is certainly plausible.

“If Arsenal cannot begin winning the big trophies, such as the Premier League or Champions League, it is entirely possible Saliba looks to move elsewhere. With Madrid having just done the double, a switch to Spain in the future would be fitting of his abilities.

“One thing that is worth noting though is that he clearly trusts Arteta and is very happy in the present at Emirates Stadium. However, if interest from Madrid arrives in two years time and Arsenal are still yet to win the big one, it could be a very different story.”

Musiala Update

It’s beginning to seem possible that Jamal Musiala could leave Bayern Munich in the not so distant future. Over the summer, the 21-year-old who’s valued at £100million by the German giants, was linked to Real Madrid and Liverpool with Arsenal then also emerging as an interested party after the summer window had closed.

With his contract expiring in the summer of 2026, a number of sides are keen to potentially secure his services in a cut-price deal of sorts. Talks over an extension are not quite progressing how Bayern would want, while The Mirror now claiming they are having some difficulty in convincing him to continue his stint at Allianz Arena.

ANOTHER ARSENAL MIDFIELDER SUFFERS MUSCULAR INJURY

Another Arsenal midfielder has suffered a muscle injury, following injuries to Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard

Arsenal injury crisis continues to deepen as midfielder Fabio Vieira has reportedly sustained a muscle strain while on loan at FC Porto.

This latest setback comes after captain Martin Odegaard was substituted with an injury during Norway’s international match on Monday, compounding Mikel Arteta’s selection problems ahead of the highly anticipated North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

Vieira, who returned to Porto on loan in search of regular playing time, picked up the muscle injury to his right thigh, delaying his second debut for the Portuguese club. According to reports from Cabine Desportivo, the 24-year-old’s recovery timeline remains uncertain.

Arteta is now facing a selection headache for the derby, with three key midfielders set to miss the fixture. Summer signing Mikel Merino is sidelined for up to two months with a long-term injury, while Declan Rice will miss the match due to suspension following his red card against Brighton just before the international break. This leaves Arteta scrambling for alternatives, particularly after allowing both Emile Smith Rowe and Vieira to depart on loan during the summer transfer window.

Arsenal officially promotes four academy stars to first-team squad

Arsenal have officially promoted four promising academy players to Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad, underscoring the club’s continued faith in its renowned Hale End academy. Known for producing top-tier talent, Hale End has long been regarded as one of the finest academies in English football, with a history of developing future international stars.

Current Arsenal sensation Bukayo Saka is one of the most recent success stories from the academy, following in the footsteps of club legends such as Ashley Cole, Tony Adams, Martin Keown, David Rocastle, and Jack Wilshere. Six of Hale End’s graduates currently play in the Premier League, while others like Folarin Balogun, Ismael Bennacer, and Serge Gnabry have found success in Europe’s top leagues.