Three days, 18 games, a boatload of high-grade performers: there really hasn't been a shortfall of options for our first Champions League team of the week. We'll be playing 4-4-2 this time, partly because it's the formation that lets you get the broadest sweep of options into your XI but mostly because I watched "Mike Bassett: England Manager" last week.

Leverkusen’s win and Benfica’s 2-1 victory at Red Star Belgrade were the two early kickoffs on the third evening of the new Champions League format which replaces the traditional group stage. Now, 36 teams each play eight different opponents through January and are ranked in a single league table to decide which teams advance to the knockout phase.

Mikel Arteta's team went direct against Serie A's tallest team - they will need to find more solutions in their search for silverware

David Raya came to Arsenal’s rescue in the Champions League on Thursday with a double save from a penalty that was celebrated by his teammates as wildly as a goal being scored. It preserved a 0-0 draw with Atalanta in the opening round of matches in the revamped tournament,

Watch highlights as Arsenal are held to a goalless draw against Atalanta in their opening Champions League match at the Gewiss Stadium.