The Gunners haven’t faced an Italian side in over five years. Unai Emery was at the helm back then and helped Arsenal batter Napoli over two legs to make it into the semi-final of the Europa League.
Mikel Arteta will want to get a similarly positive result against Atalanta on Thursday night, but he knows it will not be an easy game at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.
That’s why Arteta has promised that he will not do one thing against Atalanta.
Mikel Arteta says he will not rotate Arsenal XI vs Atalanta
Arsenal’s busy week kicked off last Sunday, when they faced Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby. Gabriel Magalhaes’ goal won them that game.
The focus is on Atalanta right now, and the Gunners will have to be at their absolute best to get a win over Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.
However, it is hard to ignore what’s coming up right after the Champions League opener.
Arsenal face Manchester City at the Etihad in what could be a title-defining clash even though we’re still in September. A win for Guardiola’s side will push them five points ahead of the Gunners.
In his press conference on Wednesday, Arteta was asked if the clash at the Etihad will influence his team selection against Atalanta and if he will rotate his side.
The Arsenal boss quickly dismissed that idea.
He said, as per the club’s official website: “No we are in September so we have to put the players that we believe are the best to win tomorrow.
“That’s the most important and only thing for us.”
Arsenal should rest two players vs Atalanta
We know that it’s extremely important to begin this Champions League campaign with a win, but after all the injuries in recent weeks, Arteta should be careful.
Atalanta will be a difficult test for Arsenal, but we still think the Gunners are good enough to win even if they rest a couple of important players.
One of them should be Jurrien Timber. The Dutchman put in a real shift against Tottenham and played the full 90 minutes for the first time in a competitive game since his injury. Starting him again, in our opinion, is a risk.
The Englishman never really gets a rest, but with Raheem Sterling now available, we think this is the right time to give Saka a break.