Arsenal's best UCL matchday squad revealed after List A announcement
Latest Arsenal news discusses Mikel Arteta's strongest 23-man matchday squad for the UEFA Champions League if his registered senior players are all available for selection
In just under a week, UEFA Champions League football returns to Arsenal for the first time in six long years.
As things are a little different in Europe with Arteta permitted to name a 23-man squad for all six group games, this scenario will force the Spaniard into leaving at least one senior player at home. Keeping that in mind, football.london have taken a look at what would be Arsenal's best matchday squad if every first-team player registered for the competition is fully fit.
It's common in European ties for three goalkeepers to be named in a matchday squad. Even though Hillson is on List A there's no guarantee he will act as back-up to Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya as that honour will almost certainly go to Karl Hein who is eligible for List B and is regarded as the third-choice stopper.
Defence is where things get rather interesting as it's safe to assume William Saliba, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko will all make the matchday squad if available for selection.
Whilst Sousa is on List A it's likely he will feature for the U19's in the UEFA Youth League as he is also eligible to play in the competition due to being born after 1 January 2005. Whether he's required to pull double duty on a matchday, ultimately depends on whether Arteta feels extra cover in this area is required.
Thomas Partey is likely to miss Matchday one and two because of injury but the fact he's part of the 25-man List A squad indicates he will play some part of the group stage. The midfielder is a key player for Arteta so
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