Atalanta vs Arsenal LIVE SCORE: Gunners face tough opening Champions League test against Europa kings – updates

  • Tonight’s Champions League fixtures

    Here are the other Champions League fixtures taking place this evening, with two already underway:

    • Feyenoord 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen (5.45pm KO)
    • Red Star Belgrade 0-2 Benfica (5.45pm KO)
    • Atletico vs RB Leipzig (8pm KO)
    • Brest vs SK Sturm Graz (8pm KO)
    • Monaco vs Barcelona (8pm KO)
  • Gasperini's comments

     "It will be difficult to get into the top eight. To stay between ninth and 24th, we have to pick up points in every game. 

    "We start with a really tough test, but it is an opportunity to measure ourselves. 

    "We’ve been playing in Europe for several years now, it’s clear that continuity has allowed us to continue growing. 

    "[Arsenal] are a team I really like, they are very compact, organised, they are a good example of how to play football. 

    "The results speak for themselves. I don’t know [Arteta] personally, but as a coach he has all my respect. It’s a beautiful team to watch."

  • Arteta pre-match

    "It’s very difficult to play against [Atalanta]! They have a particular playing style which you see week-in, week-out and it’s very challenging for opponents coming up against them. 

    "In the last two seasons, the Premier League has changed a lot, you’ve got a lot of squads that are doing similar things to them and we need to be prepared ahead of tomorrow.

    "Last year was a great campaign for us. We got to a place where we hadn’t been as a club for 16 or 18 years, but we weren’t happy or satisfied at all because we want more. 

    "They showed their hunger. I think we have the ability, we certainly have the quality - and now we have to prove it."

    Credit: EPA
  • Hello and welcome to SunSport’s live blog of Atalanta vs Arsenal!

    The Gunners kickstart their Champions League league phase campaign with a trip to the Europa League champions.

    Mikel Arteta’s men will be looking to build on their North London derby win at archrivals Tottenham last weekend.

    And the Arsenal gaffer has received a huge boost with the return of midfielder stalwart Declan Rice after the former West Ham man served his one-match suspension on Sunday.

    Arteta may be tempted to make changes to his XI with a huge heavyweight clash against Premier League title rivals Manchester City next on the agenda.

    Summer signing Riccardo Calafiori is available after being out with an injury and could make his first start for the club.

    Credit: GETTY