By Olaitan Ibrahim
Atalanta are banking on the maverick nature of winger Ademola Lookman as they prepare to face Arsenal in their opening Champions League game on Thursday night at the Gewiss Stadium.
There is already a lot of talk about Atalanta’s first European game in their renovated home of the Gewiss Stadium with a big team such as Arsenal set to take the spotlight.
Atalanta’s first game back at their renovated home this weekend was a thriller when they beat Fiorentina 3-2 and are they are looking forward to writing another glorious chapter on Thursday.
Arsenal are favourites going into the game but Atalanta have picked up a reputation of being giant killers on the European stage over the last few seasons.
A couple of years ago they did give Manchester United two tough games in the group stage and knocked Liverpool out of the Europa League last season.
They are keen to pick up one more big scalp in Arsenal when the two sides square off against each other later Thursday night.
Atalanta are banking on the maverick nature of winger Ademola Lookman as they prepare to face Arsenal in their opening Champions League game on Thursday night at the Gewiss Stadium.
There is already a lot of talk about Atalanta’s first European game in their renovated home of the Gewiss Stadium with a big team such as Arsenal set to take the spotlight.
Atalanta’s first game back at their renovated home this weekend was a thriller when they beat Fiorentina 3-2 and are they are looking forward to writing another glorious chapter on Thursday.
Arsenal are favourites going into the game but Atalanta have picked up a reputation of being giant killers on the European stage over the last few seasons.
A couple of years ago they did give Manchester United two tough games in the group stage and knocked Liverpool out of the Europa League last season.
They are keen to pick up one more big scalp in Arsenal when the two sides square off against each other later Thursday night.
According to a report, Atalanta are banking on Lookman to turn up and lead Atalanta to a positive result Thursday night.
The former Everton winger missed the start of the season due to rumours of a departure but returned to the team against Fiorentina in a glorious fashion last weekend.
Lookman is a maverick in his own right and his unpredictability makes him a dangerous attacker to handle for any opposition defenders.
His goal and assist against Fiorentina displayed the danger he possesses when it’s his day and Atalanta are depending on him to turn up on Thursday night.
Atalanta resisted selling him in the summer despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal and will now hope that decision pays off well this season.
They are aware if they are to hold on to their reputation of being a tricky side in Europe, they need Lookman to step up to the plate under the bright lights of the Gewiss Stadium on Thursday night.