He has cost us a lot, but Arteta will not tolerate it any longer. I don’t want to see him in the Arsenal lineup against Atalanta again. If Arteta starts for £50 million against Atalanta, Arsenal great Arsene Wenger promises to have a personal falling out with the player. Now – Not Gabriel Jesus, Not Havertz, and Not Trossard
In their first European match of 2024–2025, Europa League winners Atalanta will take on Arsenal in their ongoing quest for their first Champions League victory.
After defeating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on the road in their north London derby on Sunday, the Gunners go into Thursday’s match in Bergamo with the upper hand. Before the two teams’ match this weekend, the outcome put them in second place in the Premier League and two points behind the reigning champions, Manchester City.
Last season, Mikel Arteta’s team advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals before losing to Bayern Munich in the round of eight. The Gunners’ goal in this term’s extended competition is to outperform their 2023–2024 results.
The challenge of playing Atalanta will come for Arsenal when they return to Europe. La Dea, who won the Europa League the previous season, had a poor start to the current campaign. However, they overcame two straight losses to upset Fiorentina 3-2 over the weekend. This season, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team has already been to Europe; however, they were defeated 2-0 by Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.
This is your guide to Arsenal’s Thursday journey to Italy.
Gianluca Scamacca, a former West Ham United striker, is one of the main players absent for Atalanta due to an ACL injury. The same problem is keeping highly regarded defender Giorgio Scalvini out of action.
The next few weeks will see the absence of veteran center-back Rafael Toloi and former Everton defender Ben Godfrey, opening the door for Sead Kolasinac to face his old employers in Bergamo.
Summertime acquisition Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final of the previous season, will be looking for his first goal against Arsenal on his fifth try. Mateo Retegui has made a lightning-fast start to life at the Gewiss Stadium, scoring four Serie A goals in as many games.
Arsenal vs. Atalanta expected lineup
Predicted starting lineup for Atalanta vs. Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegu; Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac
Due to an injury sustained during the international break, Martin Odegaard was unable to play in the North London Derby on Sunday and will not be available on Thursday. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mikel Merino are the Norwegian’s companions in the treatment area.
Prior to Thursday’s match, Bukayo Saka exited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with an injury, however it’s unclear how serious it is. The Englishman rarely misses a game and is quite strong.
Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Riccardo Calafiori were all absent from the trip, although Gabriel Jesus made a comeback versus Spurs. The good news for Arteta is that Declan Rice, who was suspended and missed the trip to Tottenham, is back in the starting lineup.
Predicted lineup for Arsenal vs. Atalanta
Arsenal’s projected starting lineup against Atalanta (4-3-3) is as follows: Raya; Rice, Partey, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber.
