Ian Wright Expresses Concern Over Atalanta Star Ahead of Arsenal's Champions League Clash

Ian Wright has expressed concern about Ademola Lookman's early-season performances, as Arsenal prepares to face Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday.

After a nomadic career since his breakthrough at Charlton Athletic, Lookman has thrived at Atalanta, notching up 24 league goals in his last two seasons as well as a famous hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final victory.

Having been linked with moves to Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain this summer, the Nigerian international returned to Atalanta’s starting XI with a bang, registering a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over Fiorentina last weekend.

And such form has Wright concerned as his Mikel Arteta’s side prepare to kickstart their Champions League campaign with a tricky away fixture against the Italian outfit.

‘Oh gosh, did you see his first assist with the way he just flicked it?’ the former Arsenal striker said of Lookman’s weekend display on Wrighty’s House.

‘It’s really beautiful football, I’m so pleased for him. But yeah, he worries me. But we’ve got Ben White on that side and if if he’s going to be on that side we are going to be entertained. There a great team especially with him.’

Coming into his prime after stints at RB Leipzig, Leicester City and Fulham, Wright believes that Lookman’s continued form will eventually see the 26-year-old get a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.

‘I’m pleased for him. His journey, where he’s gone, what he’s doing now, you could see a big move, you could see a move for him,’ Wright said.

‘The way he’s worked up, all the way from Charlton, all the way to where he is now you’d believe that Atalanta is not his final destination in his mind, as great as it can be for them.

‘And it’s not disrespectful, but like he’s got a level of playing now where you can see why people would say, I could, yeah I could use him.’

Arsenal, meanwhile, have been handed a double injury boost for Thursday’s match, with Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka taking part in first-team training on Wednesday after their respective injury scares.

Arteta will also be able to call on Declan Rice again after the Englishman served his one-match suspension for a red card against Brighton prior to the international break.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.