Arsenal will be aiming to hit the ground running in the new look Champions League when they face Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium on Thursday night.
Mikel Arteta’s men returned to Europe’s premier club competition last season following a six-year absence, but their journey was ended at the quarter-final stage by Bayern Munich.
The Gunners then went on to agonisingly miss out on a first Premier League title since 2004, though they have shown no signs of a hangover from that bruising setback this season.
Arsenal made it three wins from four in the top-flight this term with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Tottenham on Sunday, in a game where one of my player props selection landed.
Meanwhile, Atalanta are dining at Europe's top table again following their stunning triumph in last season’s Europa League, brilliantly dismantling Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Dublin final.
Gian Piero Gasperini's side returned to winning ways in Serie A on Sunday with an action-packed 3-2 win over Fiorentina, a victory that moved them up to ninth place in the table.
How the bookies view it: Gunners to get the job done
Atalanta mark their return to the Champions League as 16/5 outsiders on William Hill, while a point apiece at the Gewiss Stadium has been priced up at 14/5 (Bet 365).
Arsenal are odds-on 17/20 favourites with William Hill to bank all three points in Bergamo.
Head to head: A first-ever encounter
Atalanta and Arsenal will cross swords for the very first time in Italy this midweek.
The hosts will draw confidence from the fact that they claimed the scalp of Premier League heavyweights Liverpool at the quarter-final stage of last season’s Europa League.
Players to watch: Saka to extend assist streak?
Bukayo Saka has registered an assist in each of Arsenal’s four Premier League victories this season so far. The Gunners talisman is a tempting 10/11 with Bet 365 to either score or set up another strike on Thursday night.
Marten de Roon has committed multiple fouls in each of his five appearances for Atalanta across all competitions this season. The Dutch midfielder therefore looks overpriced to fall foul of the referee twice or more against Arsenal at 6/5 on Bet 365
Predicted line-ups
Atalanta look set to be without long-term casualties Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca for the entire league phase of the Champions League.
Bukayo Saka hobbled off the pitch at Tottenham on Sunday but he is expected to be fit for the Gunners' matchday one encounter with Atalanta, while Declan Rice will return from suspension.
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, de Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Partey; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli; Havertz
Anything else catch the eye?
Berat Djimsiti looks a great value option to commit a minimum of one foul on Thursday night at 5/6 on Bet 365.
The Atalanta defender has been reprimanded by the referee in each of his four Serie A appearances this season.
What's more, Djimsiti has committed multiple fouls in two of his four outings, making a solitary misdemeanour here a standout selection at 5/6 (Bet 365).
This UEFA Champions League match between Atalanta and Arsenal will be played on Sep 19, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Atalanta vs Arsenal prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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