(4-3-3): Saka and Timber returns but Declan Rice and Kai Havertz both out after f!ghting in training yesterday as Arteta names a surprised lineups against Shaktak Donetsk
After his side’s first defeat of the season, Mikel Arteta’s message to his Arsenal players has been equivocal.
“Well, very clear, put a bit of perspective into the situation,” the Spaniard said in his pre-match press conference. “Obviously we want to win in any context, the reality is that we have made that context very difficult to ourselves.
“It was very difficult already with the amount of players that we had out and the schedule and the games that we had to play, but that’s the reality. And for that game we didn’t get away with it, we could have done, and it could have been a very different narrative. The reality is we didn’t.
“And now the context is that we have lost one game in six months. And, OK, now we have to win again, win in the context that we have lost for the first time in six months. So, let’s show it.”
In many ways bouncing back at against Shakhtar Donetsk is a bigger test this weekend’s visit of Liverpool for the Gunners. Things could be made even more difficult by the fitness doubts over Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber.
With progression through the league phase far from secure at this stage, it’s crucial that Arteta gets his team selection right. Here’s who how we think he might pick.
Arsenal likely XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Jorginho, Rice; Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli
Doubts: Saka (hamstring), Timber
Injured: Odegaard (ankle), Tierney (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee)
