Nigeria international, Ademola Lookman is ready to dazzle as his team, Atalanta face Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League match on Thursday, at the newly renovated Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
The anticipated encounter will be another opportunity to continue his fine form, following Atalanta’s 3-2 win against Fiorentina on Sunday, where he had an outstanding performance.
Considering the form of the Super Eagles forward, the Gunners will be having a huge task in the revamped Champions League, away to Atalanta on Thursday.
Reaching their first quarter-final since 2010 before eventually going out at the hands of Bayern Munich, Mikel Arteta-led squad made progress in Europe’s elite club competition last season.
In preparation for the match, Lookman has affirmed that his team, the Europa League champions holders are battle ready for the encounter against the Premier League club.
Speaking to DAZN, Lookman said, “Arsenal are a very strong team, and I know what to expect from them. Playing against a team of that level is always a difficult challenge, but we are ready,”
“We earned this place in the Champions League thanks to our great last season, and we want to show that we deserve to be here.
Going memory lane, with his impressive form, the Super star played a key role in the Nerazzurri’s return to UEFA’s elite competition after memorably lifting their first European trophy last season when they were the only team to defeat ‘invincible’ Bayern Leverkusen, winning 3-0 in the Europa League final.
Emerging as the first player to score a Europa League final treble, Lookman scored a hat-trick in the final to thrash Xabi Alonso’s side to their only defeat of the 2023/24 season.
The 26-year-old has started this campaign where he left off last season and despite missing Atalanta’s first three games, the Nigerian returned to the team against Fiorentina in superb form.
Lookman has also made the list of the 30 players nominated for the Ballon d’Or, as he is hoping to succeed compatriot Victor Osimhen as the CAF Africa Player of the Year.
