Arsenal will host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday as the Gunners look to continue their unbeaten start in the competition. Mikel Arteta’s side drew their opening game against Atalanta before following it up with an impressive victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Shakhtar have just one point on the board so far, drawing with Bologna and losing to Atalanta.
The Gunners are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing result away to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday. The north London outfit were without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard for the game on the South Coast, and Arteta provided an update on their fitness on Monday.
Arsenal Team News
Odegaard and Saka injured
Against the Cherries, Saka and Odegaard were among the players unavailable for Arsenal. Jurrien Timber also missed the game, while longer-term absentees Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney were among those also missing. Arsenal face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, so we could see a little rotation from Arteta against Shakhtar.
|
Arsenal Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Martin Odegaard |
Ankle |
30/10/2024 |
|
William Saliba |
Suspended |
30/10/2024 |
|
Jurrien Timber |
Other |
22/10/2024 |
|
Bukayo Saka |
Thigh |
22/10/2024 |
|
Takehiro Tomiyasu |
Knee |
No return date |
|
Kieran Tierney |
Thigh |
No return date |
Raheem Sterling came in to replace Saka against Bournemouth, while Mikel Merino played in the advanced role due to Odegaard’s absence.
Mikel Arteta injury update
Speaking to the media ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash, Arteta provided an update on Saka and Odegaard. The Spanish manager confirmed that Odegaard wouldn’t be available, but it’s a wait-and-see situation with Saka. Arteta also discussed Timber, suggesting that it’s going to be close for the Dutch defender…
“They are closer. Both progressing well. Martin not fit. With Bukayo let’s see how he is with the training session later on. I think it’s gonna be close. We’ll have to see how he deals with training with the whole group because he hasn’t done it yet.”
Reporter Kaya Kaynak later confirmed that both Timber and Saka weren’t involved in training, which took place after Arteta’s press conference.
Arsenal Predicted Starting XI
Saka could be rested
Even if Saka is passed fit to face Shakhtar, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Arteta give the England international a rest. The Arsenal boss will have one eye on the game against Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League, and he will be desperate to have Saka available for that one.
Sterling, who earns around £300k-a-week, struggled to make an impact in the first half against Bournemouth, so we could see Leandro Trossard return to the starting XI,
- Arsenal Predicted Starting XI: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori; Rice, Partey, Merino; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli.
- Arsenal Predicted Substitutes: Porter (GK), Kiwior (DEF), Kacurri (DEF), Zinchenko (DEF), Jorginho (MID), Nwaneri (MID), Lewis-Skelly (MID), Jesus (FWD), Sterling (FWD), Kabia (FWD), Butler-Oyedeji (FWD).
Shakhtar Donetsk Team News
Pusic has minimal fitness problems
Shakhtar Donetsk manager Marino Pusic should have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from as they travel to England to face Arsenal. Goalkeeper Tymur Puzankov has a long-term ACL injury, but that could be Shakhtar’s only injury concern ahead of this game.
Pusic did make a double change at half-time in their previous fixture, with both Eguinaldo and Newerton substituted, so it will be interesting to see whether they are able to keep their place in the starting XI.
Related
Arsenal are still in “open dialogue” with Shakhtar Donetsk over the possibility of signing Ukraine winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
Shakhtar Predicted Starting XI
Sudakov the main man
Georgiy Sudakov is a player who is starting to attract interest from clubs in the Premier League, and he’s been a key figure for Shakhtar this season, scoring seven goals and two assists in the league. The Ukrainian star will likely keep his place with Pusic relying so heavily on the attacking midfielder in the final third.
- Shakhtar Predicted Starting XI: Riznyk; Konoplya, Bondar, Matvienko, Henrique; Stepanenko; Zubkov, Bondarenko, Sudakov, Newerton; Sikan
- Shakhtar Predicted Substitutes: Fesiun (GK), Faryna (GK), Tobias (DEF), Franjic (DEF), Azarov (DEF), Gomes (MID), Kryskiv (MID), Shved (FWD), Eguinaldo (FWD), PEdrinho (FWD), Kevin (FWD), Traore (FWD).