Atalanta know how to win in Europe. This is, after all, a team that achieved Europa League glory last season by upsetting Bayer Leverkusen in the final and Gian Piero Gasperini’s team will need a similar level of performance to overcome Arsenal in La Dea’s opening Champions League fixture on Thursday.
By Graham Ruthven
As an attacking force, there are few in Serie A as potent as Atalanta. This was highlighted by the 3-2 win over Fiorentina on Sunday which saw Europa League final hat-trick hero and Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman score his first goal of the season. The Nigerian will carry a threat against the Gunners.
Alongside Lookman, Italian international Mateo Retegui and the highly rated Charles De Ketelaere will form the rest of Atalanta’s forward line with Gasperi expected to line up his team in a back three with wing backs to get down the outside of the opposition. This could be an effective ploy due to Arsenal’s tendency to push their full backs inside.
Mikel Arteta will once again have to make do without Martin Ødegaard due to injury, but Declan Rice will return after missing Sunday’s North London Derby win over Tottenham Hotspur due to suspension. This should give Arsenal more control in the centre of the pitch which could prove crucial against an opposition team intent on running over the top of them.
Arsenal’s defence held firm against Spurs on Sunday and Thursday will present another tough test before this week’s clash against title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. With that looming fixture in mind, it’s possible Arteta will rotate in a few positions to keep his team as fresh as possible.
Bukayo Saka could be one of those players rested after the winger was withdrawn against Tottenham with a minor injury. This could open up a spot for Raheem Sterling to make his first start as an Arsenal player after joining on loan from Chelsea. The English winger could play on either the left or right wing depending on whether or not Arteta also wants to rest Gabriel Martinelli.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s superior talent could tip Thursday’s match in their favour, but Atalanta have a history of rising to the occasion against stronger opponents. Gasperini will set up his team to be attack-minded and play on the front foot. This has the potential to make Thursday’s game at the newly renovated Gewiss Stadium one of the most entertaining of the week in the Champions League.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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