Arsenal shift their focus to Atalanta before crucial clash with Man City

Mikel Arteta's team is currently facing a challenging week, which began with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the intense north London derby on September 15th.

The Gunners now head to Atalanta to kick off their European campaign before the vital trip to English Premier League champions City on Sept 22.

Arsenal’s daunting schedule was made trickier by the absence against Tottenham of key midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard due to suspension and injury, respectively.

But, with Jorginho filling in admirably for Rice, Arsenal ground out their third win in four league games this term thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes’ second-half header.

Rice should be back in the starting line-up against Atalanta, but Arteta is still waiting to discover when skipper Odegaard will be able to return from an ankle problem he suffered while on international duty with Norway.

The fixture list has not been kind to Arsenal, with City having an extra 24 hours rest – they hosted Inter Milan on Sept 18 – before the seismic showdown at the Etihad Stadium. The result of City’s game was not available at press time.

However, Italian veteran Jorginho believes a positive performance and result at Atalanta will pave the way for more of the same against City.

“If you want to achieve big things you need to have the mentality of trying to win every single game,” he said.

“That is what we need to do and that is what we want to do. You have to keep believing in what you are doing.

“We are doing that and we keep working hard to improve and doing right the things. We are on the right path and we need to keep it going.”

Already two points behind leaders City, Arteta’s men cannot afford a defeat in Manchester and will not want to open the revamped Champions League with a loss.

Arsenal can take heart from an impressive record on the road in 2024.

The triumph at Tottenham was their 10th win in 11 away league games, with their only draw coming at City in March.

Eliminated from the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich last season, the Gunners hope to go even deeper in the tournament this term.

They have never won the Champions League and, while a first English crown since 2004 remains their priority, success in Europe would be further evidence of Arteta’s remarkable transformation of a club in turmoil when he arrived in 2019.

Arteta, who recently signed a long-term contract extension, has only the 2020 FA Cup to show for his Arsenal overhaul, but the Spaniard is convinced his side have the character to win more major honours.

“We have people that are hard and have thick skin. They love the game and we love winning,” he said.

“In order to love the game and win you have to do things that people call ugly. Enjoying those ugly things is a big compliment to this team right now.”

Atalanta will pose an intriguing first hurdle for Arsenal after their unexpected Europa League triumph last season.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side bounced back from successive Serie A defeats against Torino and Inter Milan with a 3-2 win against Fiorentina on Sept 15.

“It will be a really tough and physical game,” Jorginho added.

“They are a very physical team. It is not going to be easy, and it will be a hot atmosphere in Italy. We need to be ready.” AFP