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Arsenal will get their 2024-25 UEFA Champions League campaign on the road as they travel to Bergamo to take on Atalanta on Thursday. The Gunners made it to the quarter-finals of Europe's elite cup competition last term.
At the same time, Atalanta beat a seemingly unassailable Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin to lift the Europa League trophy last season. Gian Piero Gasperini's men will kickstart their Champions League campaign against the Gunners at their newly renovated stadium.
Atalanta made it to the Champions League three times in a row between 2019 and 2022. In that time, they have been blessed with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with English opposition, having faced a Premier League side in each of those campaigns.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have are looking to become a mainstay in the Champions League once again. A frustratingly long spell of mediocrity saw them fail to get their tickets punched to Europe's premium competition for six successive seasons between 2017 and 2023.
But Mikel Arteta has turned things around for the north London outfit. Arsenal are one of the best teams in the Premier League right now and are certainly one of the sides to watch out for in the Champions League this season.
They are unbeaten in the new Premier League season and will look to make a statement against Atalanta.
Atalanta vs Arsenal Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first meeting between Arsenal and Atalanta. Atalanta have faced four Premier League sides to date, namely Everton, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United, playing 10 games, winning and losing four each, and drawing two.
- Arsenal suffered losses in their last three away Champions League games in Italy. Those defeats came against Roma, AC Milan and Napoli.
- In Atalanta's last four Champions League matches, in the group stages of the 2021-22 edition, both they and their opponents had scored two or more goals.
- Arsenal have secured victories in the opening match of their last six major European campaigns.
Atalanta vs Arsenal Prediction
Atalanta have been an entertaining side to follow in Europe. Their way of operating makes way for exciting football with plenty of goals and high-octane end-to-end action.
As usual, Atalanta will look to play their swashbuckling style of attacking football against Arsenal on Thursday even if it leads to their defense getting ripped through. Arsenal should be able to pick up a narrow win against Atalanta on Thursday in a high-scoring contest.
Prediction: Atalanta 2-3 Arsenal
Atalanta vs Arsenal Betting Tips
Tip 1: Arsenal to win - Yes
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals - Yes
Tip 3: Both teams to score - Yes
