Arsenal fans, get ready for the return of the UEFA Champions League. As the squad list for the group stage dropped, it left us with a few surprises. There are two key things to talk about—players who made the cut and some who didn’t.
Kieran Tierney Back in the Mix
The biggest surprise? Kieran Tierney. Honestly, I didn’t expect to see his name on Arsenal’s Champions League squad list. Not only is he still an Arsenal player, but Arteta also seems to have kept him in mind for the European campaign. Tierney hasn’t played in the Premier League this season, as he’s recovering from an injury. Last season, he was out on loan at Real Sociedad, and now here he is, back in the mix. Whether he actually gets minutes in the Champions League is anyone’s guess, but just being included could be a boost to his confidence. He might have thought his time at Arsenal was winding down, but maybe this signals otherwise.
Where’s Ethan Nwaneri?
Now, on the flip side, one player who fans hoped to see, but didn’t, is Ethan Nwaneri. He’s the young talent many expected to break into the team, especially after a standout pre-season. Nwaneri even showed flashes of his potential last year, like in the West Ham match. But despite Arsenal’s limited options in midfield, he didn’t make the Champions League squad. Perhaps it means Arteta isn’t ready to rely on him just yet, or maybe Nwaneri still has a bit more to prove before becoming a regular in the big games.
Still, it’s not all over for him. Nwaneri can be added to the squad later, so we might see him get a shot in the competition after all. Let’s hope this doesn’t put a dent in his confidence.
Arsenal fans, we’ve got a lot to look forward to this season. The Champions League campaign kicks off soon, and it’ll be exciting to see how the squad performs.
