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

Latest Arsenal news before Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League with Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka major injury doubts

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, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber joined captain Martin Odegaard as marquee absentees through injury.

Ahead of their next European fixture, Arteta was asked for updates on the trio with his comments initially seeming positive. “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.” Though Arteta made it clear how they respond to training will be key, neither Saka or Timber made it out for Tuesday’s session

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.

Ethan Nwaneri is one option that could bring a spark with many Arsenal fans calling for him to be included in the starting XI. However, Arteta has hinted he may not be willing to offer the 17-year-old another start despite the injury problems in his squad.