Arsenal are back in the group stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2016. They face PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates a week on Wednesday as they look to take their domestic form onto the continental stage.
Mikel Arteta had to name a 25-man List A squad as per UEFA regulations, eight of which have to be locally trained players. Timber has been excluded as he won't be fit for the group stage. The £38million signing from Ajax suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest.
Timber can be added to the squad after the January transfer window if Arsenal make the knockout rounds. However, the likelihood is he would not be available until the latter stages, if at all.
Home nations find out who they will face in Champions League draw
Arteta has had to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcement. One player who has benefited is 18-year-old academy star Sousa.
Sousa joined Arsenal from West Brom in January 2022 and has earned rave reviews while playing for the club's under-18 and under-21 sides. The teenager has often trained with the first team and was on the bench for the Premier League match at Brentford last season.
Portuguese compatriot Cedric is also named in Arteta's squad. The 32-year-old has been out of the picture since returning from a loan spell at Fulham in the second half of last season.
Cedric did not travel on the pre-season tour to the USA and has been training away from the senior squad. But he failed to find a move during the summer window and Arteta has recalled him from the wilderness for the group stage.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
Arsenal news: Cedric Soares has been called back in from the cold
Mohamed Elneny also makes the squad as he closes in on a return from a serious knee injury. There are no further surprises, with every other senior first-team player included.
Arsenal will also name a List B of under-21 players before each Champions League match. Defender Reuell Walters, midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly and winger Amario Cozier-Duberry are all likely to be regulars on the list if fit.
After the opener against PSV, Arsenal will go away to French outfit Lens before a trip to Sevilla. The reverse fixture against Sevilla at the Emirates is set for November 8 before matches at home to Lens and away to PSV to see out the group.
Trending
Arsenal's Champions League squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya, James Hillson
Defenders: Cedric, Lino Sousa, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba
Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny, Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe
Forwards: Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus
0 Comments