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In just under a week, Uefa Champions League football returns to Arsenal for the first time in six long years.

Drawn in Group B alongside Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and RC Lens, the Gunners welcome the Eredivisie outfit to the Emirates Stadium on September 20 as they look to record their first victory in the competition since beating Basel 4-1 in the group stage back in December 2016.

Following a busy summer in terms of transfer activity which saw Arsenal sign four but allow the likes of Granit Xhaka, Matt Turner, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Marquinhos to depart one way or another, a 25-man List A squad has been announced for the group phase with Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and David Raya all named.

Jurrien Timber has not been registered, presumably, because he's not expected to play again this year as a result of sustaining an ACL injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the new season. However, youngster Lino Sousa is included as is goalkeeper James Hillson.

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.

READ MORE: Timber confusion, redemption, Toney deal conditions - Arsenal's double squad selections analysed

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 expect him to make the squad once fully fit alongside Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Jorginho, Fabio Vieira, Havertz and Rice.

If all six of Arsenal's senior attackers - Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson make the Champions League Matchday Squad then 22 players have been named thus meaning it could be between Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny battling for the final call up.

Now the longest-serving player at the club, it might be that once Elneny is ready for a return to action he gets the nod over the Portuguese defender who is somewhat of a surprise inclusion on List A given he was free to depart during the summer transfer window.

Arsenal's best UEFA Champions League matchday squad

Goalkeepers: Ramsdale, Raya, Hein

Defenders: Saliba, White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Tomiyasu, Zinchenko

Midfielders: Partey, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Jorginho, Fabio Vieira, Elneny, Havertz, Rice

Forwards: Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, Nketiah, Trossard, Nelson

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