Arsenal has announced a 22-man team for its upcoming Champions League campaign. The second season of the Revamped League Phase System introduces some fresh rule changes that would have a huge benefit to the Gunners last year.
The more eight games later a team finishes at the league phase table, the more likely they will be to play their knockout round opponents at their second leg home stadium. This would have seen Arsenal hosting both Real Madrid and PSG at the Emirates Stadium in Game 2 of last season, but instead they had to travel to Madrid and Paris for the luck of the draw.
Towards the end of the season, Arsenal stayed on his final leg and endured the injuries of 27 separate players. They entered the semi-final against PSG, with midfielder Mikel Merino performing as centre-forward, with Jakubu Kiwior replacing Gabriel Magalges.
Julien Timber started, but later confessed that he was injured, just like his fellow right-back Ben White. Riccardo Calafiori returned to the bench following his own issues, and Martin Odegaard began to limp in the previous match. Meanwhile, both Kai Herberts and Gabriel Jesus were sidelined later in the season.
According to the UEFA website, yes is not included in the team. It has not yet been decided whether this hint is his return.
Summer has been a busy time for Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s new sports director. Despite the injuries of key players such as Havertz, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Christian Norgaard, White and Odegaard, the club appears to be in a stronger position in terms of team depth.
Arsenal has been receiving a positive draw in the Champions League, with equipment against Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos and FC Kairat at Emirates Stadium. They will also play away games against Inter Milan, Club Bruges, Slavia Prague and the Athletic Club.
This draw is considered the third easiest of the 36 teams in the competition, increasing confidence in the table finish. It’s no surprise that all eight new signatures are included in the team list.
15-year-old Max Dowman is also registered. If he played in the opening match, he became the youngest Champions League player ever, breaking the record set by Yousoufa Moukoko of Borussia Dortmund, who was 16 years and 18 days when he made his debut.
Dowman should be listed on the Champions League Arsenal’s “A” list, with up to 25 locations, including eight of “local trained players.” When Dowman turns 16 in December, he will be redirected to the list “B” for knockout stages.
Ethan Nwanelli and Miles Lewis Skelly will be 21 years old and will not need to register until they can be included on the list “B.”
Arsenal Champions League Team
Goalkeepers: David Raya, Keparizabaraga, Tommy Thetford
Defenders: Ben White, Julien Timber, William Saliba, Christian Mosquera, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie, Ricardo Carafioli
Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Kai Haberts, Noni Madue, Max Douman, Leandoro Torosad, Ebebeki Eze
Forwards: Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli
