Arsenal have updated their Champions League squad ahead of the quarter-finals against FC Bayern, and there is a surprise inclusion/omission.

TLDR;

• Arsenal updated their Champions League squad ahead of the quarter-final against FC Bayern, with a surprise inclusion of goalkeeper Sabrina d’Angelo over winger Giovana Queiroz.
• The UEFA regulations allow for three new registrations from the Group stage squad, but Arsenal made four signings during the January transfer window.
• With the loss of Miedema and Mead due to ACL injuries, Arsenal need every available body in attack. It was surprising to see a goalkeeper included in the squad, suggesting that d’Angelo might start the game against FC Bayern.
• Although it may be difficult for Queiroz to sit the game out with a goalkeeper preferred to her in the squad, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall has a lot of options to choose from and should be well-prepared for the game.

Goalkeeper Sabrina d’Angelo included in squad ahead of Bayern match

UEFA regulations allow for three new registrations from the Group stage squad. Unfortunately, Arsenal made four signings during January, which means one of those have to miss out.

They signed a goalie Sabrina d’Angelo, two midfielders Kathrine Kühl and Victoria Pelova, as well as one winger Giovana Queiroz.

Arsenal already had two senior keepers registered (Zinsberger, Marckese) as well as a junior one (Williams), so logic would seem to select the three outfield players, especially as the club lost Miedema and Mead due to ACL injuries and therefore need every available body in attack.

Giovana Queiroz left out despite need for attacking options

Therefore, it came as a surprise that Gio was omitted, and d’Angelo was registered.

It is clear that d’Angelo is a talented goalkeeper and might even be the best at the club, justifying her inclusion.

But you do not add a keeper to your list and deny yourself an outfield player in an area where you are short in numbers to leave that goalie on the bench.

The odds of a keeper having an impact coming from the bench are a lot lower than an attacking outfield player, so it points towards d’Angelo starting the games against FC Bayern.

She is a top player, and, if the manager thinks she is better than Zinsberger, it makes sense. You have to put your best available XI on the pitch.

It might unsettle Zinsberger, but the club have just taken up the option to extend her contract by a further year so it doesn’t seem like something we should worry too much about.

About the extension, Zinsberger said, “It wasn’t a tough choice at all. I am proud of what I have achieved here and I am very happy at the club. I can’t wait for the game tomorrow.”

On possible negative impact is on our young Brazilian winger Gio.

Jonas Eidevall had been clear that she was not at the right level yet and had less international football experience compared to Pelova and Kühl.

Her Everton loan saw her play limited time due to fitness and injury problems.

She does come on regularly as a sub with us but was cup-tied for three of our games as well.

Missing out in the Champions League means she would have been cup-tied for nearly 40% of the games since January.

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall faces tough decisions ahead of match

It will be a difficult situation for her to sit out, having a goalkeeper preferred to her in the squad. It says quite a lot about the limited trust from the manager. She could have been a game-changer coming on as a sub. Although her recent performances suggest work needed to be done on her end product.

Jonas Eidevall and his squad had nine days to prepare for this Bayern game. They should be rested and tactically well-prepped for it. The Arsenal manager has a lot of options, with the only recent injury being Catley.

A possible XI in the usual 4-4-2 formation would be: Zinsberger or d’Angelo; Maritz or Wienroither, Williamson, Rafaelle, McCabe; Pelova or Foord, Wälti, Little, Hurtig or Foord; Maanum, Blackstenius.

The game will be played on Tuesday at the Allianz Arena in Munich at 6.45 pm CET live on DAZN’s YouTube channel.