Arsenal full squad vs Shakhtar in Champions League revealed as Ethan Nwaneri role 'confirmed'

Mikel Arteta is facing a number of important decisions for the Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk amid this weekend's huge title showdown with Liverpool. The Gunners will be hoping to bounce back from their first defeat of the season against Bournemouth and also welcome back two more players from injury.

The likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey all overcame minor knocks to feature in the clash at Vitality Stadium with Ben White, ruled out because of a groin issue, making his first start in four weeks. However,

Ahead of their next European fixture, "They [Saka and Odegaard] are closer and they're both progressing really well," he said. "Martin is still not fit. With Bukayo, let's see how he feels today and the transition that we have later on."

"I think he [Timber] is going to be close. We have to see how he deals with training with the whole group because he hasn't done that yet but he will be pretty close hopefully."

As such, it looks highly unlikely the pair will return especially with the Liverpool clash in mind. Takehiro Tomiyasu is another unlikely to feature with Kieran Tierney also still injured. As Arteta will have the same group available, he must find a way to avoid another blank with the Gunners significantly lacking creativity this past Saturday.

However, Arteta has hinted he may not be willing to offer the 17-year-old another start despite the injury problems in his squad.

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"I think it's identifying moments, understanding where he is, where the team is and what is the optimal moment to throw a player in that context," he said regarding minutes for Nwaneri in a press conference on Tuesday.

"He's already done a lot in a very short period of time. So let's take it step by step and make sure those steps are consistent and can allow him to grow in the manner and form that we want him in the team." With that said, here is the 23-man squad football.london expects Arteta to name for tonight's European clash at Emirates Stadium.

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Neto, Tommy Setford.

Defenders: William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Maldini Kacurri, Josh Robinson.

Midfielders: Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard, Myles Lewis-Skelly,

Forwards: Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji,