Arsenal allowed a long list of players to leave the club in the summer transfer window. Folarin Balogun and Granit Xhaka brought in the biggest transfer fees, while the likes of Rob Holding, Matt Turner and Austron Trusty also completed permanent exits.
Arteta made four additions to his squad, spending around £210million. Declan Rice was the major addition for a club-record fee of £105m.
He joined earlier signings of Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, while goalkeeper David Raya arrived on loan from Brentford after the season had started. Arteta knows it will be a squad game this term following the return to the Champions League.
Arteta has been able to rotate almost his entire starting XI in the Europa League in previous seasons. However, he won't be afforded that luxury in Europe's elite club competition.
Arsenal news: Mohamed Elneny is close to a return to fitness (Image: GETTY)
That will put further strain on his first-choice players and increase the risk of injury. But in Cedric and Elneny, he has two experienced players available who many will have forgotten about.
Cedric was linked with a number of moves during the summer window but was unable to finalise an exit. The full-back has entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates and is down the pecking order.
However, the long-term injury suffered by Timber could potentially open up an opportunity. Timber's versatility was a big reason why Arteta signed him.
He started the season at left-back but is even more comfortable at either right-back or centrally. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu have had sketchy fitness records in the last 12 months or so.We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
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