Arsenal seek for breakthrough at Atalanta in Champions League opener – stay
Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign with a clash against Serie A side, and last season’s Europa League winners, Atalanta away from home.
It’s a tricky start to the newly revamped competition for Mikel Arteta’s men but they will be confident about securing all three points despite a growing injury list. Arsenal have started the season with three wins and a draw from their first four Premier League matches and are in good touch ahead of this European outing.
In comparison, Atalanta have made an mixed start to their own domestic campaign. Two wins and two defeats perhaps points to a lack of consistency but they are difficult opponents to overcome. The Italians beat Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final to end the Germans’ unbeaten run for the campaign and win their first trophy since the 2011 Serie B title.
Arteta is hoping to add to Arsenal’s trophy cabinet this season and has eyes on the biggest European prize but to do so the Gunners will need to set down a marker tonight.
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Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Atalanta are keeping the ball well when they get around the Arsenal box, but they can’t find the penetrating pass – too often it ends up going backwards.
They finally find some good movement, with a ball being fizzed into Retegui in the box. he holds it up well and lays it off to De Ketelaere, who rifles a shot over.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Ederson clips a weak ball in that Gabriel heads away, but Atalanta come again as Zappacosta’s cross flies through the box to the other side of the pitch.
The home side’s possession ends and Arsenal try and build a counter, with Kolasinac heading White’s cross away.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
It’s been a bit scrappy from Arsenal in the final third so far in truth, with Martinelli the latest to be guilty of losing the ball too easily. They certainly don’t look in any danger of conceding though.
No shots on target for either side yet.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Neither side is dominating the match, though it is going exactly how Arsenal want it to at the moment. Untroubled in defence, and waiting for their moment to pounce in attack.
Atalanta look to launch a counter but a sea of red shirts sweeps back to stop it.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Havertz does well to collect the ball on the edge of the Atalanta box and keep possession. The away side keep possession, with Timber threading a clever throw-in into the path of Rice in the box. He cuts it back and it runs into the path of Martinelli, who arrows a shot wide at an angle.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
The home side try the clever move as Retegui squares it to Lookman on the edge of the box, and the winger clips a chipped through ball over the Arsenal defence, which ends up being cleared for a corner.
From the corner, Atalanta work a half-chance, but the cross is headed high and wide.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal’s attack is far more patient than the home side’s, and Ederson pulls Saka back to concede a cheap free-kick near the area. He’s booked too.
Saka steps up to take the free-kick, and he drills it low towards the opposite corner, forcing a good save from Carnesecchi.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Atalanta have settled a little now, though they are still struggling to get any meaningful possession, with Arsenal happy to let them keep the ball in their half.
Retegui lays it off to Lookman, who spreads it wide to De Ketelaere, but the cross in is over the head of the ex-Everton winger.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
A solid start overall from Arsenal, who are so far untroubled as they keep the ball in their half. Nothing clear-cut in attack yet though.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Havertz intercepts midway into the Italian half and drives towards the box, but he can’t get a shot on target.
