'Has to play': Pundit says £45m Arsenal player has to start vs Atalanta now

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Arsenal return to Champions League action this week as they face Atalanta on Thursday evening.

The Gunners head into the game in Bergamo with a number of big selection decisions to make.

On one hand, Arsenal will want to get their European campaign off to the best possible start.

However, at the same time, the Gunners will want their players to be fully rested and ready for their crucial game against Manchester City this weekend.

Speaking on the Handbrake Off Podcast, Adrian Clarke has been discussing how Arsenal should line up for their Champions League curtain-raiser, and the pundit has called for Gabriel Jesus to start to get some more minutes in his legs.

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Gabriel Jesus should start vs Atalanta

Clarke made the case for Jesus to start vs Atalanta.

"It's going to be hard. I'm not saying we should throw this game, but with eight games in the group stage we do have some wiggle room. We need to rotate a bit. I think Jesus has to play from the start, we need to get minutes into him. I'd say the same for Raheem Sterling. I'd even consider Kiwior," Clarke said.

Gabriel Jesus needs to perform

Gabriel Jesus is very likely to get a start against Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday, and he needs to perform in this game.

The Brazilian has lost his place in the Arsenal XI to Kai Havertz, and in order to reclaim his place, he needs to show up in games like this.

The £45m man is a top striker, who, at his best, can be one of Arsenal's most important players, but injuries and a lack of consistency as of late has led to the South American dropping out of the Gunners' starting XI as of late.

Jesus will get his chances to impress, and he simply has to take them when they come along.