Arsenal predicted lineup vs Inter Milan: Champions League

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Arsenal face their most challenging test of the Champions League stage when they travel back to Italy to face Inter Milan.

Arsenal opened the league stage with a draw against fellow Serie A side Atalanta, but Inter Milan are a different animal. Not to mention, Arsenal’s form is slipping in the Premier League. The Gunners are ninth on seven points coming into the game after defeating Shakhtar Donetsk last time out at home. A win would see Mikel Arteta’s side Inter leap into the top eight.

Martin Ødegaard returned to full training this week but Declan Rice picked up an injury against Newcastle United last weekend and will not travel to the game. It could cause problems for Arteta if his captain is not fit enough to start the game and has to appear from the bench.

Arsenal could look completely different given Ødegaard’s availability. If he is fit enough to start, expect to see Arteta’s 4-3-3. But if he is not ready to start, it will be the same 4-4-2. Given Arteta’s comments in the pre-match build-up, it looks like the latter.

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GK: David Raya– Arsenal’s goalkeeper has not conceded a goal in the Champions League. A stark contrast from the team’s home form.

LB: Jakub Kiwior-Kiwior needs a big performance out of his left back. If things don’t go well, Zinchenko could be an early replacement candidate. If Ben White is fit after coming on as a substitute against Newcastle, expect Timber to come in here and White to start at RB.

CB: Gabriel– No surprise here. Gabriel partners Saliba hoping for another clean sheet.

CB: William Saliba-He has had plenty of praise bestowed upon him by Virgil Van Dijk in recent days, but a statement here will inspire faith in Arsenal’s chances of going deep in Europe’s biggest competition.

RB: Jurrien Timber—The Dutchman gets the start at right if White is unavailable. If not, he’s on the left. He has been fantastic for Arsenal but has suffered a bit of an injury to start the season

LM: Gabriel Martinelli-Martinelli provides the width and pace down the left flank, but the fans want him to be more decisive and take on opposition defenders as he has done in the past.

CM: Thomas Partey– The Ghanaian will start in the midfield as an anchor after having been placed as a right-back in recent games.

CM: Mikel Merino— The Spaniard enters on the left as a combative midfielder who wants to win duels and get his team on the pitch.

RM: Bukayo Saka-Arsenal’s star gets the captain’s armband in hopes of leading his team to a big win.

ST: Kai Havertz-Havertz has slowed down recently, but continues to work hard for his side up in the press. Questions surround the Gunners’ attacking options up front and centre.

ST: Leandro Trossard— Trossard gets the nod to pair Havertz if Ødegaard is not fit enough to start. Gabriel Jesus scored last week in the EFL Cup, but Trossard should start here.

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