After a successful campaign that saw them reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, Arsenal are back on the European stage this Thursday. They’ll face Serie A side Atalanta BC in Bergamo, in what promises to be an exciting matchup between two in-form teams.
Match preview:📝📝
After back-to-back second-place finishes in the Premier League, Arsenal have started this season strongly. They’ve navigated their first four Premier League games without defeat, including a recent victory in the North London Derby against Tottenham.
Arsenal's impressive form on the road will be tested by a tough Atalanta side, but they’ll be looking to secure three points before facing Paris Saint-Germain at home next month.
Atalanta, meanwhile, are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2022. The Bergamo-based club, led by veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini, enjoyed European success last season by winning the Europa League.
Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick in the final helped them overcome a tough Leverkusen side and lifted Atalanta’s first European trophy.
Team News:📃📃
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta can count on the return of Declan Rice, Captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle injury, while summer signing Mikel Merino has yet to feature after injuring his shoulder in pre-season.
Atalanta will be missing striker Gianluca Scamacca and defender Giorgio Scalvini for an extended period due to injuries. Rafael Toloi and Ben Godfrey were also absent from the last match against Fiorentina. However, Gasperini will be pleased to welcome back Sead Kolasinac and Berat Djimsiti to bolster the defense.
Predicted Lineups: 👥👥
🟦Atalanta (3-4-2-1) : Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui.
🟥Arsenal(4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice; Jorginho, Saka, Sterling; Havertz.
Key Insights: 📈📈
📈Arsenal have averaged 5.5 corners per game in the Champions League, while Atalanta have averaged 3.83.
📈The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive matches.
📈Atalanta’s last nine competitive games have all featured over 1.5 goals.
Predictions: 💰💰
Given Arsenal’s strong away form and Atalanta’s defensive frailties, the Gunners might have the edge in this fixture. However, with Lookman in great form and Atalanta’s ability to pull off big results at home, this could be a tightly contested match.
👉Bet 1: Arsenal win or draw | Code: B3VTD85
👉Bet 2: Over 8.5 corners | Code: B3VTDFJ
✍️Predicted Final score: Atalanta 1-2 Arsenal.
Find the Atalanta vs Arsenal match link here.