Should Mikel Arteta rest key players against Atalanta?

Arsenal are back in European action on a Thursday, but don't fear, the Gunners haven't slipped back into darker times.

An expanded Champions League has brought about a scheduling change with the 18 games played on Matchday 1 being spread over three days as opposed to two.

Unfortunately, Arsenal have been dealt a short straw. They're opening their continental account for the season in Bergamo less than 72 hours before they face Manchester City in a monstrous domestic tussle. City, on the contrary, are at home to Inter on Wednesday night.

Schedule-makers have put the Gunners on the back foot heading into their daunting trip to the Etihad, but perhaps Mikel Arteta could alleviate potential rest and recovery concerns by resting his key players for their Champions League opener.

Should Mikel Arteta rest key players against Atalanta?

Arteta proved once again on Sunday that he's a top, top coach. However, there have previously been issues with his squad rotation, and several players have burned out towards the end of seasons as a result. There was some improvement in this regard last season, and the quality of the Gunners' streamlined squad this term should give him greater incentive to rotate more often.

Some have suggested wholesale changes for Thursday's game, but the club's current fitness issues render multiple switches to his starting XI unlikely. With Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney all out, Riccardo Calafiori only just returning from a calf injury, and Oleksandr Zinchenko also doubtful, Arteta doesn't have too much room to manoeuvre.

However, what Arteta could do is protect his most vulnerable ahead of Sunday's game. Bukayo Saka limped off in the derby and doesn't need to be risked, Thomas Partey is finally building up some rhythm after an injury-plagued Arsenal career, while Jurrien Timber was back to his best at the weekend after a fairly rusty start to the season. Both Partey and Timber's minutes should be managed on Thursday, and Arteta has the options at his disposal to mitigate Saka's absence.

In Raheem Sterling, Arsenal now boast a quality cover option down their right flank.

Moreover, if Arteta does rotate, you'd still back the away side to do the business in Bergamo. While Atalanta seemingly thrive most when they're underestimated, Gian Piero Gasperini's side will undoubtedly surrender chances to this canny and mature Arsenal team. The Gunners boast the knowhow to combat the unique challenges presented by La Dea.

And hey, even if Atalanta earn a result on Thursday against a rotated Arsenal team, the new Champions League format hands the Gunners plenty of time to recover. A top-eight finish in the table is good enough for a place in the round of 16, with those that finish between ninth and 24th advancing into a play-off round. There's plenty of margin for error, and the absence of three points in a tricky environment on Matchday 1 would not be the end of the world.

There's no doubt that Sunday's clash in Manchester is the bigger fixture for Arsenal, who are aiming to become the first team since Brentford in November 2022 to win at the Etihad. A triumph over the Premier League's monopolisers would be seismic.

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