Atalanta vs Arsenal odds, prediction, pick: Champions League live stream, where to watch, what to know
The first week of Champions League football kicks off on Thursday night when Europa League champions Atalanta welcome Arsenal to Bergamo amid a crucial week for the Gunners. After securing victory over Tottenham on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s side will begin their European campaign with an eye on Sunday’s visit of Manchester City.
That doesn’t mean they will take Atalanta lightly. Gianpiero Gasperini’s side have been a little slow in their opening round of Serie A games, but a thrilling win over Fiorentina – scoring five goals in the first half – was a reminder of how much of a threat they can pose. Even high-powered defences can be tested, but will they contain Arsenal who are perhaps the best in the business? We’ll find out on Thursday.
Viewing Information
- date: Thursday, September 19 | Time: At 3 PM ET
- Place: Gewiss Stadium – Bergamo, Italy
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- odds: Atalanta +320; Draw +270; Arsenal -118
League stage schedule
Atlanta: Arsenal (H), Shakhtar Donetsk (A), Celtic (H), Stuttgart (A), Young Boys (A), Real Madrid (H), Sturm Graz (H), Barcelona (A)
Arsenal: Atalanta (A), Paris Saint-Germain (H), Shakhtar Donetsk (H), Inter (A), Sporting (A), Monaco (H), Dinamo Zagreb (H), Girona (A)
Team News
Atlanta: While Gasperini has his side set to return to the Champions League for the first time in three years, some issues have cropped up in defence, with Rafael Toloi out with a thigh problem and Ben Godfrey struggling with a back problem which has limited his availability since arriving from Everton. There are plenty of options to choose from up front in what will likely be an attacking display.
Probable Atlanta XI: Carneschi; De Roon, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri; Lookman, de Ketelair; retegui
Arsenal: The injury crisis in north London is not particularly easing. Riccardo Calafiori was in training after withdrawing from the derby on Tuesday, but there was no sign of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney, Mikel Merino or Oleksandr Zinchenko. Most importantly, Martin Odegaard’s ankle problem could keep him out for some time yet. “Recent scans have shown that he has some damage, specifically to a ligament in the ankle,” Arteta said. “It’s quite significant, so we will lose him for a period of time.” Arsenal are hoping that timeline won’t last for several months.
The question then is whether any adjustments need to be made in light of Sunday’s visit to Manchester City. Can one or both of Thomas Partey and Jorginho start three times in a week? If not, will the player who started on Thursday sit on the bench for a crucial clash in the Premier League title battle?
Probable Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Jorginho, Havertz, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Prediction
Arsenal still appear to have some problems against top-level European opposition – perhaps exaggerated ones – and that could continue in Italy as well. choose: Atalanta 2, Arsenal 2
