Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has waxed lyrical about Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of Thursday’s Champions League clash at the Gewiss Stadium. La Dea’s first season at Europe’s top table since 2021/22 commences against back-to-back Premier League runners-up.
Given the new format, that’s hardly an opposition Atalanta would like to meet at the start. However, after last term’s iconic Europa League triumph, Gasperini’s men have earned a place in the Parthenon of the continent’s finest.
Atalanta stunned Europe in May, knocking Bayer Leverkusen down from a 52-game unbeaten run with a thumping 3-0 victory in the title-deciding fixture. No one will ever question La Dea’s credentials after that. But it feels like Gasperini’s team will have to punch above their weight tonight.
Fresh off a confidence-boosting 1-0 win against fierce North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal will land in Bergamo keen to maintain momentum. But Arteta knows better than to underestimate his Atalanta counterpart, Gasperini.
“The club has an amazing story, and what Gasperini has done is amazing.” the Gunners boss said in the build-up. “I have a big admiration for what he has done in his career, not only for Atalanta but for other clubs. He’s a very important figure, and what they achieved last season was incredible, and we’ll see how tomorrow goes!“
Arteta also confessed that he consulted with former Serie A stars about what he can expect against Atalanta.
“I spoke with Riccardo [Calafiori] and Jorgi [Jorginho] as they know the team very well, they know the players, and it’s always very important information to get a hold of. They’ve played in some great games against this squad during the last few seasons, and they’ve done very well.
Atalanta head into proceedings as underdogs but buoyed by a 3-2 comeback win against Fiorentina.
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