Predicted line-up for Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Champions League

Arsenal host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League while the Gunners aim for another three points in the league stage.

Mikel Arteta's team recently beat Paris Saint-Germain at home and improved to four points on the season. However, the team suffered a disappointing defeat against Bournemouth in which William Saliba received a red card. However, he will be available in the Champions League, which is a boost for a team suffering from multiple injuries. Three points are crucial if the team wants to climb further up the table and avoid an additional game in the knockout rounds.

Shakhtar Donetsk are still looking for their first Champions League win this season after a draw and defeat against Bologna and Atalanta respectively.

This is how Arsenal could line up as Arteta looks to overcome this injury-plagued start to the season.

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TW: David Raya – Arsenal's top goalkeeper sets out to keep another clean sheet in Europe.

LB: Riccardo Calafiori – The summer signing didn't have the best performance against Bournemouth. He needs to recover here and then probably place himself centrally when Liverpool travel to the Emirates at the weekend.

CB: Gabriel – The Brazilian will be given the starting eleven again and possibly the captain's armband.

CB: William Saliba – Saliba will be keen to right the wrongs of his sending off against Bournemouth. The red card wasn't his fault alone, but a strong performance will restore some confidence to one half of the Premier League's elite defensive partnership.

CB: Benjamin White – White returned from injury and started against Bournemouth. Depending on Jurrien Timber's fitness, he could feature again.

CM: Declan Rice – Rice starts in midfield and provides stability in front of the defense while also being an option in attack.

CM: Thomas Partey – His level has improved since the start of the season. Partey will lead the midfield.

CM: Mikel Merino – Tuesday's game against Shakhtar Donetsk provides a great opportunity for Merino to get more minutes as a starter.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli – Martinelli came on as a substitute against Bournemouth and missed a golden opportunity to reduce the score. He is back in the starting line-up here and provides width and pace on the left side.

ST: Kai Havertz – There are no questions here. Arsenal's leading man at the top will be back in the starting XI.

RW: Raheem Sterling – While Bukayo Saka's fitness is in question after he suffered what Arteta called “a non-serious injury” during the international break against Greece, Sterling has been given the nod for the second game in a row.

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