Atalanta v Arsenal: Jesus Starts, Lineups
The Gunners travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday night, with Gabriel Jesus leading the line for Mikel Arteta's side.
Following a thrilling 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, Arsenal will be looking to build on their momentum in Europe. Arteta has named a strong starting lineup, with Gabriel Jesus back in the starting XI after missing the derby through injury.
Here are the confirmed lineups:
Atalanta:
- Musso
- Hateboer
- Palomino
- Demiral
- Ruggeri
- Koopmeiners
- De Roon
- Pasalic
- Lookman
- Hojlund
- Boga
Arsenal:
- Ramsdale
- White
- Saliba
- Gabriel
- Zinchenko
- Xhaka
- Partey
- Saka
- Odegaard
- Martinelli
- Jesus
Key Battles:
- Gabriel Jesus vs. Demiral/Palomino: This is a key matchup, as Jesus will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Atalanta defense. His movement and finishing ability will be crucial for Arsenal.
- Odegaard vs. Koopmeiners: Both players are creative midfielders with the ability to unlock defenses. This battle will be key in determining the flow of the game.
- Saka vs. Ruggeri: Bukayo Saka's pace and trickery will be a challenge for the Atalanta left-back. If Saka can get past Ruggeri, he could cause serious problems for the Italian side.
What to Expect:
Atalanta are a dangerous team that plays with a high-intensity pressing style. They are known for their attacking prowess, led by the likes of Lookman and Hojlund.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will be looking to control possession and exploit the spaces that Atalanta leaves behind. The Gunners have shown their ability to play on the counterattack, and this could be a key factor in the game.
Overall, this promises to be an exciting and entertaining clash between two attacking teams. With Jesus back in the fold, Arsenal will be confident of getting a result in Bergamo.
Stay tuned for live updates and a full match report after the final whistle!
