Atalanta vs. Arsenal: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Arsenal's away record in Europe has been pretty poor recently, with the Gunners winning just one of their last five in this competition, a set of results that includes losses to the likes of Lens (2-1) and Porto (1-0) and a 1-1 draw with PSV.

Atalanta, on the other hand, lost just one game in European competition last season, a 0-1 loss to Liverpool, and will prove a very tricky opponent.

With Arsenal still without talisman Martin Ødegaard, we think they'll find three points hard to come by here. Atalanta 1-1 Arsenal.

The Champions League returns this Thursday, bringing with it an intriguing clash between Atalanta and Arsenal.

• Date: 19/09/2024
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Location: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo

Atalanta's emergence as a European contender under Gian Piero Gasperini has been one of the more compelling stories in Italian football over recent years. The club, based in Bergamo and historically not a powerhouse in Serie A, has made significant strides over the course of the past few years, culminating in their Europa League victory last season. The 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin, which brought the club's first-ever European trophy, marked a historic moment for Atalanta, underscoring their growing status on the international stage.

This season, however, Atalanta have had a somewhat inconsistent start in Serie A, sitting eighth in the table with six points from four games. Atalanta do, though, still remain a dangerous prospect for any opponent, especially in Europe, where Gasperini has a knack for setting his team up to compete against the very best, and Arsenal will be wary of the tactical prowess the Italian manager brings to the table.

The loss of midfielder Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus over the summer was a significant blow for Atalanta. The Dutchman had been pivotal to their midfield, with his technical profile proving pivotal in all phases of play, and his departure leaves a void in the heart of the team that Gasperini is still looking to fill. However, Atalanta were anything but passive from a recruitment perspective, bringing in a host of quality names to strengthen the team.

The addition of right-back Raoul Bellanova has added an attacking threat to the right flank, while the arrival of striker Mateo Retegui has brought some much-needed quality up top, especially in the absence of the injured Gianluca Scammaca. An Italian international born and raised in Argentina and known for his physical presence and ability to finish in and around the box, Retegui has made an immediate impact, scoring four goals in his first four games for the club.

For Arsenal, the stakes are similarly high as they seek to make a mark in a competition that has long eluded them. Despite being one of England's most storied clubs domestically, the Gunners are yet to win a major European trophy, and this Champions League campaign offers a chance for Arsenal to fill that gap in their history, a feat their fans are desperate to experience.

Last season, Arsenal were knocked out in the quarter-final stage by Bayern Munich after suffering a 3-2 aggregate defeat. The second-leg saw Arteta's men fall to a 1-0 loss at the Allianz Arena which was particularly disappointing for Arsenal, with their performance lacking the kind of intensity and inventive spark that's required to win at this level. This time around, though, the North London club will be desperate to avoid a repeat and push further into the competition, especially considering they haven't reached the semi-final of the Champions League since the 2008-09 season.

Arsenal's start to the 2023-24 Premier League season has been largely as expected, as they sit second in the table with 10 points from four matches. Arteta has drilled his team to be efficient on the ball and organised off it, traits that have made them a very effective side both in and out of possession. The form of key players such as Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka has also been a major boost; Havertz, who arrived from Chelsea over the summer, has contributed with two goals and one assist, while Saka continues to showcase his importance to the team, recording one goal and four assists.

Arteta’s tactical approach, which blends defensive solidity with a regimented attacking approach, will be put to the test against Atalanta; the Gunners will need to remain compact and disciplined, particularly when dealing with the unpredictable and often frenetic style of Atalanta under Gasperini.

This game will be televised live to UK audiences on TNT Sports 1.

Atalanta Team News:

The front three of Ademola Lookman, Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere all got on the scoresheet at the weekend so the trio should remain untouched here.

Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca both remain long-term absentees with ACL injuries.

Predicted lineup: Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui.

Arsenal Team News:

The Gunners could be without Bukayo Saka, who came off the pitch late at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with an injury.

Martin Ødegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko will both miss out through injury once again, but Declan Rice will return to the starting lineup after missing the North London derby due to suspension.

Predicted lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Jorginho, Partey; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

Atalanta took on Fiorentina at the weekend and ran out 3-2 winners. The first half was one for the ages, with all three goals coming in the opening 45 minutes. The visitors opened the scoring after just 15 minutes, but Atalanta responded admirably with Mateo Retegui levelling just six minutes later. Moise Kean gave Fiorentina the lead again on 32 minutes, but Charles De Keteleare drew the home side level as the clock struck 45. Then, just one minute later, Ademola Lookman propelled his side into the lead for the first time in the game with what turned out to be the match-winning goal.

Prior to that, Atalanta were hammered 4-0 away at Inter Milan, a result that followed a 2-1 loss away at Torino, a 4-0 win away at Lecca and a 2-0 loss at the hands of Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.

The Gunners picked up a huge result at the weekend as they dispatched bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur with a 1-0 win away from home. In what was a scrappy, cagey win, Arsenal won the game with a header from Gabriel Magalhães in the 64th minute. Arsenal were nowhere near their best, but they defended excellently and were very tough to play against, and given they were without Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard they'll feel it was job well done.

Arsenal's other results this season have seen them draw 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion after recording 2-0 wins over both Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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