Atalanta vs Arsenal

Gewiss Stadium forms the backdrop for the first-ever Champions League encounter between Atalanta and Arsenal.

Back to the Champions League main phase for the first time since 2021/22, last season’s Europa League winners, Atalanta, seek redemption for a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in August’s UEFA Super Cup showpiece. Gian Piero Gasperini’s charges have delivered a mixed bag of performance at the start of the new Serie A campaign (W2, L2), most recently dispatching Fiorentina 3-2 at home despite falling behind twice in the first half. Atalanta have lived up to their tag as ‘seasoned entertainers,’ with their four league matches this term featuring an eye-catching average of four goals per game, highlighting the potential for a high-scoring contest. ‘La Dea’ gear up for their fourth appearance in the Champions League main phase, hoping to defy their underwhelming record against English clubs in Europe’s elite competition (W1, D2, L3).

Visiting Arsenal will hope to pour more misery on Atalanta’s dreadful record against Premier League sides as they head into proceedings in a buoyant mood after a hard-earned 1-0 win against fierce North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s team upheld their unbeaten record at the beginning of the 2024/25 Premier League season (W3, D1), setting themselves up nicely for this trip. However, the Gunners haven’t fared well on their recent continental travels, picking up just one win in their last six Champions League away outings (D1, L4). Confidence stems from their recent results on Italian soil as they won on back-to-back visits to the country without conceding, though both those triumphs came before Arteta’s tenure.