Champions League is back but on a Thursday let’s go!!
![Real Madrid Soccer GIF by RightNow Real Madrid Soccer GIF by RightNow](https://media3.giphy.com/media/2SzNRmWhnWWSnBh214/200.gif)
![1726481898367.png 1726481898367.png](https://arsenal-mania.com/forum/data/attachments/27/27960-d274e9fd7c2ee8f2760140c9b4b55625.jpg)
First and one of the hardest games in this initial round that we’ll have with a trip to Bergamo to face last year’s Europa League champions.
Lot of injuries at the back still but hopefully Saka just had a customary limp and will be fit for this although it sounds pessimistic for Ødegaard, Calafiori and Zinchenko.
![1726481332977.jpeg 1726481332977.jpeg](https://arsenal-mania.com/forum/data/attachments/27/27959-12bf30d330ee649ddf5f34b9e56147ad.jpg)
May be a very big stage for Ethan so probably use Trossard in midfield again although we will have Rice back crucially for this.
Martinelli looks shot form wise in front of goal so may be a good full debut for an experienced CL player in Raheem.
We’ve never faced Atalanta before in a competitive match so here’s a bit about their start to the season…
Form Guide
Mixed start to the year after winning the Europa League last year getting pumped by Inter and needing a huge come back against Fiorentina yesterday.
![1726480345421.png 1726480345421.png](https://arsenal-mania.com/forum/data/attachments/27/27952-3f7c68032d37cf53271c51b61ff82974.jpg)
They’ve been busy in the transfer market… made one of their stars last year De Ketelaere a permanent signing and even added Ben Godfrey from Everton with former PL players Cuadrado, Zaniolo and Rui Patricio.
They lost the heartbeat of last years team though in Koopmeiners to Juventus who was incredible in both league and EL which may explain the iffy start.
![1726480648391.png 1726480648391.png](https://arsenal-mania.com/forum/data/attachments/27/27954-4b4888d721032c9188bb16fd4377e297.jpg)
Danger Man
Back from injury on the weekend for his first game of the season and bagging a goal and assist against Fiorentina it has to be last year’s man of the match in the EL final Ademola Lookman.
![1726481053194.png 1726481053194.png](https://arsenal-mania.com/forum/data/attachments/27/27955-c590e100e0a712170a77a1d583802487.jpg)
Also keep an eye out for new signing Mateo Retegui up top who’s bagged four in four so far this year and is top scorer in Serie A…
![1726482844897.jpeg 1726482844897.jpeg](https://arsenal-mania.com/forum/data/attachments/27/27963-5b991ae2d1627cef3496b0e76d7ecd6b.jpg)
Last edited: