Mikel Arteta names forgotten Arsenal star in his 23-man Champions League squad… despite them not playing for the Gunners in more than a year

There was a surprising inclusion in Arsenal‘s 23-man squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign.

UEFA have revealed the squads for all 36 teams competing in the competition, including Premier League challengers Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa. 

Each club submits an ‘A-List’ as well as a ‘B-list’ – with the latter consisting of Under-21 players. 

There was one eye-catching name on Arsenal’s main list, who hasn’t played for the Gunners since their 2023 Community Shield win over Manchester City.

The player in question, is Scotland international Kieran Tierney. 

Tierney was expected to leave but is still out of action after suffering a hamstring injury

Arteta last played Tierney in a match during the 2023 Community Shield win over Man City

Tierney, who has struggled with injuries over recent seasons, spent last year out on loan at LaLiga side Real Sociedad.

The 27-year-old is currently on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, which he suffered playing for his country at Euro 2024. 

Without his injury, it was expected that Tierney would leave the Gunners in the summer.

However, he now has a chance to play for the Gunners in this season’s expanded Champions League format.

His inclusion will certainly boost their squad depth as they look forward to eight games in the league phase that has replaced the old group stage format. 

Tierney has made 124 appearances for the Gunners since he arrived from Celtic in 2019. 

It was the arrival of Olekdandr Zinchenko in the summer of 2022, which led to Tierney losing his spot at left-back. 

Speaking about Tierney, manager Mikel Arteta said last month: ‘He needs to focus on recovering in the best possible way, it’s been a tough time for him again with the last injury.

Raheem Sterling is among the new summer signings to make Arteta’s European squad

‘We have to try to support him and make sure he gets back fit.’

Arsenal’s squad is pretty much otherwise as expected for the upcoming Champions League. 

Their squad includes summer signings Neto, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Marino and Raheem Sterling. 

Arsenal on their return to Europe’s elite competition last season, were knocked out 3-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich at the quarter-final stage.