Arsenal are set to make their much-anticipated return to the UEFA Champions League this Thursday, traveling to Italy to face Atalanta BC in Bergamo. After an impressive campaign last season that saw the Gunners reach the quarter-finals, Mikel Arteta’s side is eager to build on that momentum. Meanwhile, Atalanta enters the tournament on a high note after lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy in Dublin by defeating Bayer Leverkusen in a stunning final. With both teams keen to prove their mettle in Europe’s elite competition, this clash promises to be a thrilling encounter between two ambitious clubs.

Arsenal's European Comeback

Last season, Arsenal finally ended a six-year exile from the Champions League, reasserting themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the continental stage. They topped Group B in style, finishing ahead of PSV Eindhoven, Lens, and Sevilla, with four wins in their six group-stage matches. Their group-stage success set the tone for what would become a memorable European run.

Arsenal then faced Portuguese giants Porto in the Round of 16, where they progressed on penalties after a hard-fought tie, showcasing their resilience. However, the Gunners’ journey ended in the quarter-finals at the hands of Bayern Munich, but they had already proven that their long-awaited return to the Champions League was more than just a cameo appearance. The north London side, under the guidance of Arteta, showed a maturity and tactical discipline that had often eluded them in previous years.

In addition to their impressive European campaign, Arsenal finished as runners-up in the Premier League for two consecutive seasons, affirming their status as serious contenders at both the domestic and European levels. The Gunners' resurgence under Arteta has sparked a renewed sense of optimism among fans, who believe the club is finally ready to challenge for major honors once again.

Entering this year’s Champions League campaign, Arsenal will look to build on the foundations they have laid over the past few seasons. They head into the group stage in excellent form, having gone unbeaten in their first four Premier League matches this season. Most recently, they secured a vital 2-1 victory in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, with Gabriel Magalhães heading in the decisive goal from a set piece. Arsenal’s ability to capitalize on set pieces has become one of their key strengths under Arteta, with Gabriel’s goal being the 23rd they have scored from such situations since the start of last season.

Arsenal's Away Form and Squad Depth

The Gunners are also proving to be formidable on the road. They have won six consecutive Premier League away matches, a streak that dates back to the end of last season. Their strong away form will be crucial as they embark on a challenging run of fixtures that includes their midweek trip to Lombardy to face Atalanta, followed closely by a high-stakes Premier League showdown with defending champions Manchester City.

Arteta will undoubtedly rotate his squad for the trip to Italy, mindful of the demands of competing on multiple fronts. Arsenal’s squad depth has been bolstered by key signings, and this depth will be tested in the coming weeks as they balance the pressures of both Premier League and Champions League campaigns. New arrivals such as Declan Rice and Kai Havertz have added quality and versatility to the side, while the continued development of young stars like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard has given Arsenal a dynamic edge in attack.

Arsenal’s European aspirations will also hinge on the performances of these key players, as they look to make an even deeper run in the Champions League this season. The Gunners are aiming to qualify for the knockout stages once again, and with formidable opponents such as Paris Saint-Germain also in their group, every point will be crucial.

While Arsenal return to Europe’s top club competition, Atalanta are no strangers to the Champions League themselves. The Italian club has made remarkable strides in recent years under the stewardship of Gian Piero Gasperini. Last season, Atalanta made history by securing their first major European trophy, triumphing in the UEFA Europa League. Their 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final was a statement of intent, as they outclassed a side that had been unbeaten throughout the competition.

Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick in the Europa League final was the crowning moment of a stellar campaign for La Dea, and it helped erase the disappointment of losing the Coppa Italia final just days earlier. Gasperini’s side demonstrated resilience and attacking flair throughout their Europa League journey, and their success has cemented the club’s reputation as one of the most exciting teams in Italy.

Atalanta now enters the Champions League for the fourth time in their history, having qualified for Europe’s elite competition three seasons in a row between 2019 and 2022. During those campaigns, they twice reached the knockout stages, including a memorable run to the quarter-finals in 2020, where they narrowly lost to Paris Saint-Germain. The Italian side also boasts a history of facing Premier League opposition in Europe, having played English clubs in each of their previous Champions League appearances. Although they have won only once in six encounters with Premier League sides, that one victory was a stunning 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in the 2020-21 Europa League quarter-finals.

However, despite their recent European success, Atalanta’s form heading into this year’s Champions League group stage has been somewhat inconsistent. The club’s summer transfer window was marked by turbulence, as several key players departed, and their attempts to rebuild the squad have been met with mixed results. Atalanta’s season began with a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, a match in which they were thoroughly outplayed by the reigning Champions League winners.

In Serie A, Atalanta have also endured a shaky start to the season, losing two of their first three league matches. However, they showed signs of resilience in their most recent outing, a 3-2 victory over Fiorentina. Twice coming from behind, Lookman once again proved to be the hero, netting the decisive goal to secure all three points. Gasperini will hope that this hard-fought win can serve as a turning point for his team as they prepare to welcome Arsenal to their newly renovated home stadium.

Atalanta’s Gewiss Stadium has undergone significant upgrades in recent months, and the club will be eager to mark the occasion with a memorable performance in front of their passionate home supporters. The stadium’s completion could not have come at a better time, as the Nerazzurri aim to make a strong start in their Champions League group.