Atalanta welcome Arsenal to the Gewiss Stadium tonight to kick off their Champions League campaign.
Atalanta approach the Champions League this year after lifting the Europa League in spectacular fashion by defeating Xabi Alonso’s ‘invincible’ Bayer Leverkusen side by a 3-0 margin. Ademola Lookman’s hattrick gave the Bergamo-based fans a night to remember and manager Gian Piero Gasperini cemented his name in the club’s history books. Atalanta are yet to build some momentum in the new campaign as losses to Torino and Inter have dented their stride. However, they recuperated in their previous outing versus Fiorentina when they mastered an emphatic comeback after going twice during the match.
Meanwhile, Arsenal arrive in this match as the clear favourites after dumping North London rivals Tottenham in their last match. While Spurs had the upper hand in the initial stages of the game, the Gunners came with a more rejuvenated approach in the second half and Gabriel Magalhaes’ header stood as the difference between the two sides. Mikel Arteta’s men are yet to taste defeat this season and that record has enabled them to gain the right amount of confidence ahead of their return to the Champions League. Arsenal are set to face Manchester City this weekend and they will hope to complete tonight’s game unscathed.
Here are the predicted line-ups for the match according to La Repubblica:
Atalanta: (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi: Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac: Zappacosta, de Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri: De Ketelaere, Lookman: Retegui.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya: White, Saliba, Gabriel, J. Timber: Partey, Rice, Trossard: Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.
Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN
