Atalanta vs Arsenal: 3 players that can be the difference

Mikel Arteta returns to UEFA Champions League action for Atalanta vs Arsenal. Here are 3 players who can be the difference.

Tonight, Arsenal will travel for their first away fixture of this season's UEFA Champions League. They don't start the schedule on easy terms, as they face Europa League champions Atalanta in Italy.

Arsenal have never faced Atalanta, so it is difficult for Mikel Arteta to assess his opponents. However, given his love for football at every level, he will have a strict game-plan in place to face Atalanta.

With the away fixture against Man City on the horizon, he may wish to rotate a few players. With that being said, here are 3 players who could be the difference for Arsenal.

Without a doubt, having Declan Rice back in contention will be the biggest difference-maker for Arsenal. The Englishman was suspended for the North London Derby, so he hasn't played since the international break.

Mikel Arteta is not about to rest Declan Rice for the Man City game. He doesn't need to be rested and instead, getting his match fitness back in time for the important Premier League clash will be important.

Against Atalanta, Declan Rice will be key to maintaining the midfield. His energy will be required to be here, there and everywhere. That's not lazy commentary, it's just the best way to describe his role. His heat-map after the game will show that.

The best player from the weekend will be raring to go again.

Gabriel scored the only goal of the North London Derby. It was a pivotal moment, where Gabriel capitalised on some free space in the Tottenham box, scoring an excellent header.

Considering Arsenal's defensive injuries, Gabriel will play three times in the space of a week. Is that an issue for him, though? Absolutely not - Gabriel simply loves defending, so let him run riot.

Expected to come into the Arsenal starting lineup, for his first start in Arsenal colours, is Raheem Sterling. Signing on loan from Chelsea, Sterling is expected to play a key role under Mikel Arteta.

Raheem Sterling is an experienced player with plenty of knowledge at this level of the game. Playing for some of the best clubs in England, Sterling has exceptional Champions League experience.

Sterling has never won the Champions League but he did play in the final in 2021. So, it's safe to say that the Englishman will be eager to return to the competition after a few years in the Chelsea prison.