Atalanta vs Arsenal: UEFA Champions League – BBC Sport

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is available to play in his side's first Champions League game against Atalanta as manager Mikel Arteta aims to make further progress in the competition.

Saka was taken off late in Sunday's derby win over Tottenham as Arteta said he “could not continue”.

“Yes, he was able to train today (Wednesday), he completed most of the session and is available,” said the Gunners boss ahead of Thursday's game against last year's Europa League winners.

Captain Martin Odegaard is out with a “fairly serious” ankle injury, but fellow midfielder Declan Rice is back from suspension for the win against Spurs.

Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori has also returned from injury. Arsenal face Atalanta before Sunday's Premier League away game at Manchester City, who host Inter Milan at home on Wednesday.

When asked if it was a disadvantage to have one day less preparation time than City before the game, Arteta replied: “Hopefully not.”

“We have so much energy after what happened on Sunday, which was great. We got a few players back, which is also very important for us, and we are playing in a competition that we absolutely love, so we look at the positives.”

Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals last season after losing to Bayern Munich and Arteta hopes his side can learn from that.

“We were not happy or satisfied at all because we wanted more,” he said.

“I think we have the ability, we certainly have the quality – and now we have to prove it.”