Images: Arsenal Train Ahead Of Champions League Opener As Duo Return

By The Editor
on 19th September 2024

Arsenal train at London Colney before flying to Italy…

Arsenal’s first-team squad were put through their paces ahead of our Champions League opener against Atalanta with Mikel Arteta able to welcome Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice back into the fold.

Rice was suspended for the trip to Spurs on Sunday following the atrocious second yellow card he received against Brighton and now returns to add much-needed options in midfield.

It will be interesting to see who Arteta ejects from the starting XI to make room for Rice considering the nature of the schedule this week.

As we head to Italy for a European night, it may make Jorginho the ideal partner for the 25-year-old and prevent us from having to risk playing Thomas Partey three times in seven days.

At the back, Calafiori may be in line for his first start after Arteta admitted that Jurrien Timber struggled with cramps towards the end of the Spurs game but soldiered on due to a lack of options on the bench.

The Dutchman is still building up to match fitness following his first full Premier League game in over a year and one imagines the coaching staff will be keen to preserve his legs.

Elsewhere, youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly continued training with the first team and it will be interesting to see if the former is handed a start following his impressive cameo on Sunday.

Check out the images from training in the slideshow above.