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Arsenal begin Champions League campaign with draw away to Atalanta
Raya makes extraordinary double save - including keeping out penalty - to earn Gunners draw
Monaco stun 10-man Barcelona, plus wins for Atletico Madrid & Brest
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To Si the Villa fan: clearly you haven't been paying attention. Without 2/3 of our first choice midfield including arguably the best creative player in the world. Even with that we can call upon quality off the bench (Sterling, trossard, jorginho, et al).
Matt, London
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Another slick move by Arsenal ends with Gabriel Martinelli, who is off balance, firing over from inside the penalty area.
The Gunners are on top.
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Arsenal have played well in the opening ten minutes but Atalanta and their fans certainly aren’t going down without a fight
Olly, Liverpool fan
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Leon Osman
Former Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
Ademola Lookman has had a good career. I remember him coming to Everton and he showed flashes of brilliance - he was only young and learning his trade. At the moment he's found the perfect place to play football.
This crowd get excited when the ball is near him, they all expect him to unlock the door. Ben White will have to make sure he's on top of his game this evening.
Image source, Getty ImagesAtalanta 0-0 Arsenal
A corner for Atalanta which is taken by Adamola Lookman. Arsenal look to have dealt with it before another cross is pinged into the danger area and a header flies over David Raya's bar.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Leon Osman
Former Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
Marco Carnesecchi saw it so late because of the three man Arsenal wall. Bukayo Saka goes low and his team-mates jump out of the way of it.
Carnesecchi was at full stretch and it's a strong right hand to keep it out.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
It's a lovely free-kick by Bukayo Saka - he hits it low and hard and it's heading for the back of the net before Marco Carnesecchi sticks out a big hand. Thomas Partey tries to leap onto the loose ball but Atalanta escape.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal are trying to pick their way through Atalanta's defence.
Bukayo Saka looks to have done just that when he has his shirt pulled by Ederson just outside the penalty area.
Free-kick to the Gunners and a yellow card for the Atalanta player.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has a word with Jurrien Timber just before the player launches a throw-in deep into the Atalanta half.
70% possession for Arsenal in the opening 10 minutes.
Image source, ReutersAtalanta 0-0 Arsenal
I know we're only seven or eight minutes in but the noise levels are incredible. Atalanta's fans are really giving it some. They're properly up for this and have been singing non-stop.
Atletico Madrid 0-1 RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig have taken a shock lead away at Atletico Madrid, hitting the Spanish side with a brilliant counter-attack.
A shot comes in from Lois Openda and home goalkeeper Jan Oblak makes a one-handed acrobatic save to keep it out, but the rebound loops up in the air and Benjamin Sesko leaps high to head in the opener.
Image source, ReutersAtalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Leon Osman
Former Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
It has been a ferocious start.
Both teams are still to put their foot on the ball and settle it down - both teams are trying to pressurise the opposition.
Atalanta are man-to-man trying to stop Arsenal from playing out from the back. That is creating some spaces at the back if Jesus and Martinelli can find those moments.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Kai Havertz is making his 50th Champions League appearance (Chelsea 31, Arsenal 11 and Bayer Leverkusen 8).
And he almost marks it with an early goal. He drives into the Atalanta box but his shot flies wide.
Havertz looks alert and dangerous.
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Still a very impressive Arsenal side but the strength in depth is a worry. Arsenal have been lucky with injuries but if that luck runs out, they will struggle
Si, Villa fan
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal's first serious attack ends in a corner as Bukayo Saka's attempt is deflected behind after a clever turn by Gabriel Jesus on the edge of the box.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Leon Osman
Former Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
It's a brilliant atmosphere.
At the moment it is all Atalanta [fans] - they are jumping around with flags swaying everywhere - it's really intense.
Arsenal's first job is a few passes and try quieten this crowd down.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
The stadium is rocking. The home fans are in great voice and there are huge blue banners all around the ground.
It's good to see Arsenal back in their traditional red and white colours away from home in Europe.
A steady start by both teams.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal's European campaign is under way.
Image source, ReutersAtalanta v Arsenal (20:00 BST)
The home fans are singing the Champions League anthem. Very different reaction to that at the Etihad Stadium last night.
Atalanta v Arsenal (20:00 BST)
Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on TNT Sports
Jurrien Timber is the real deal. He went through the gears against Tottenham, there is a strength and determination about him.
He has great recovery pace to get back and do his job and he can play too, reads the game so well. He has added to that 'never say die' attitude at the back that they have been building in recent years.
Image source, Getty Images| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 6 | Sparta Prague | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
| 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 10 | Sporting CP | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 11 | Benfica | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 13 | Brest | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 20 | Bologna | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 21 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 24 | Sturm Graz | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 25 | Red Star Belgrade | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 26 | Girona | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 27 | PSV | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
| 28 | Stuttgart | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
| 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 31 | Club Brugge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| 32 | Red Bull Salzburg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| 33 | Young Boys | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| 34 | Slovan Bratislava | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
| 35 | Feyenoord | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
| 36 | Dinamo Zagreb | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 0 |
|
Manager: Gian Piero Gasperini
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Gian Piero Gasperini
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
UEFA Champions League
All competitions
Atalanta have never previously faced Arsenal in any competition. The Gunners will be the fifth English side they have met in major European competition, after Everton (W2), Man City (D1 L1), Liverpool (W2 L2) and Man Utd (D1 L1).
Arsenal have lost their last three away UEFA Champions League games in Italy, although this is their first trip there since 2013. Those defeats came at Roma (0-1 in 2009), Milan (0-4 in 2012) and Napoli (0-2 in 2013).
Atalanta’s last four UEFA Champions League games – all in the 2021-22 group stage – have seen both them and their opponents score two or more goals (D2 L2). In the entire history of the European Cup, no side has ever both scored and conceded 2+ goals in five consecutive matches.
Arsenal have won their opening match in each of their last six major European campaigns (five in UEFA Europa League and last season’s Champions League). The last side to beat the Gunners in their first game was Dinamo Zagreb in the 2015-16 Champions League.
The 2023/24 UEFA Europa League final – won 3-0 by his side – was Gian Piero Gasperini’s 50th game in charge of Atalanta in major European competition (excluding qualifiers). Gasperini has won just under half of those (48%), with 24 victories from 50 matches (D14 L12).
Only Atlético Madrid (+6.16) overperformed their xG total by a higher figure than Arsenal in last season’s UEFA Champions League (+5.49 – 19 goals from an xG of 13.51), while the Gunners also posted the third-highest shot conversion rate in the competition last term (15.7%), behind only Manchester United (16.9%) and Atlético de Madrid (16.8%).
Atalanta’s 23 UEFA Champions League matches have seen 3.6 goals per game (40 for, 43 against), the second-most of any team to feature 20+ times in the competition, behind Viktoria Plzen (3.8 per game).
Bukayo Saka was involved in eight goals in nine UEFA Champions League appearances for Arsenal in 2023-24 (4 goals, 4 assists), the most by an Englishman in their debut season, breaking the record set by Lee Bowyer for Leeds United in 2000-01 (6 goals, 1 assist).
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman scored five times in his final three UEFA Europa League starts last season, including a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen. Lookman’s never scored in four career appearances against Arsenal, while his only UEFA Champions League appearance was in October 2019 for RB Leipzig against Zenit.
Raheem Sterling could make his UEFA Champions League debut for Arsenal in this game and would become the first player in European Cup history to play for four different English teams, having previously played for Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea. The other four players to play for three are David Batty (Leeds, Blackburn, Newcastle), Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea), William Gallas (Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs) and Kolo Touré (Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool).
