Mikel Arteta seems to have made a significant choice for this weekend’s Premier League match against Manchester City.
On Thursday, Arsenal began their Champions League campaign with a draw against Atalanta, where David Raya was pivotal in securing a point.
The match in Bergamo was intense, with few clear chances for either team. Gabriel Martinelli nearly scored for Arsenal but missed a close-range opportunity, while Juan Cuadrado’s long-range attempts fell just off target.
A key moment occurred at the start of the second half when Thomas Partey was penalized for a foul on Ederson. After consulting with goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana during a VAR check, Raya saved Mateo Retegui’s penalty and expertly denied the rebound.
“This season he’s been exceptional,” Arteta remarked about Raya in his post-match press conference. “The save he made against Villa and today kept us in the game. You need that from a goalkeeper at this level. I’m really happy he’s in that form at the moment.”
Conversely, Partey has struggled this season, continuing against Atalanta. He lost possession multiple times and was easily bypassed in midfield, with his performance taking a downturn after conceding the penalty.
Arteta rarely makes early substitutions, but alongside Gabriel Jesus’s withdrawal to manage his fitness, Partey was also taken off. Leandro Trossard and Jorginho came on, suggesting Arteta’s plans for the upcoming match against City.
Despite having limited midfield options, with Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino likely sidelined for weeks, Partey’s low confidence means he may not start in this crucial match.
Jorginho’s strong performance against Tottenham last weekend makes him a likely candidate for a starting role, and Declan Rice will remain in the lineup after returning from suspension.
Given Jesus’s recent injury issues, Trossard may step in up front, supported by Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
