3 Atalanta players Arsenal must be wary of in Champions League clash

Arsenal get their Champions League campaign underway on Thursday night as they take on Atalanta for the very first time.

While the Gunners generally have rich and memorable histories against Italian clubs, they're entering the unknown when they face Gian Piero Gasperini's La Dea.

Arsenal's talent doubtlessly outweighs Thursday's opponents', but Atalanta are used to punching above their weight and challenging the aristocracy. Gasperini has seen his side evolve almost perpetually since his arrival in 2016, and the latest iteration helped the club to its first-ever European trophy in the form of the Europa League last season.

There's been further personnel shifts since that magical night in Dublin, and there's no denying that Atalanta will pose a stiff and unique challenge for the Gunners on Matchday 1 of the league phase.

Their brilliance has typically been built on cohesive collectivism, but this Atalanta team does have a couple of standout individuals that Arsenal must be wary of on Thursday.

1. Odilon Kossounou

Ivorian centre-back Kossounou is a great fit for this Atalanta side, and it'd be a surprise if he didn't make his debut for the club on Thursday night. The young defender joined the club on loan from Bayer Leverkusen after appearing 34 times for the unbeaten domestic double-winners last season.

He's an imposing centre-back boasting modern and traditional traits. Kossounou's a calm operator in possession, but he loves to drive forward with it, too, and he will find himself in advanced situations given how Gasperini's teams typically rotate down the flanks.

The Ivorian will be best suited to an outside centre-back role in Bergamo, and Gasperini will certainly enjoy the aggression with which he plays. Overall, his profile aligns with the manager's ideals, and, assuming he starts, Kossounou will be key in attempting to shun the direct Gunners on Thursday.

2. Ederson

Atalanta's midfielders get through a hell of a lot of work. Gasperini requires specific profiles in his engine room, but he's got his hands on a good one in Ederson.

The Brazilian shot to prominence in the Europa League final with a majestic performance that was only overshadowed by the hat-trick heroics of a man we'll soon discuss. Ederson was a pest throughout, with his timing and tight man-marking proving stifling.

He's a strong box-to-box operator who will run all day. He contributes significantly to Atalanta's press, but he's also got the engine to recover relentlessly, too. His work in possession is simple and efficient, with the midfielder preferring retention over progression, although he is capable of zipping crisp passes into those ahead of him.

Ederson's a do-it-all performer worthy of keeping an eye on in Bergamo.

3. Ademola Lookman

Lookman has long been touted for great things, with the former wonderkid coming into his own as he enters his prime. At 26, Lookman is playing the best football of his career, and there's no doubting that he's Atalanta's danger man when the Gunners come to town.

The forward will rotate across Atalanta's frontline, but will typically station himself off the left. It was from this flank where he teed up Mario Retegui and scored on Sunday as Atalanta downed Fiorentina 3-2.

Lookman's three goals amid a career-defining 2024 Europa League final all came while he drifted off the left, too. It was that display which helped him return to mainstream prominence, and he heads into Thursday's game in devastating form. A slick one-on-one dribbler who can go both ways, Ben White is set to have his hands full.

The winger's current confidence and ball-striking ability off both feet means the Gunners must keep a watchful eye.

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!