We simulated Atalanta vs Arsenal to predict the Gunners' Champions League opener
Arsenal's 2024/25 Champions League campaign gets underway later today, with the Gunners making the trip to Italy to take on last season's Europa League winners Atalanta.
A 1-0 win over north London rivals Tottenham in their last outing sends Arsenal into the Champions League clash in high spirits, with the Gunners remaining unbeaten in the Premier League so far this season. A huge game against Manchester City awaits Mikel Arteta's side on the weekend, but for now, all attention turns to the return of the Champions League.
This will be the first season that the Champions League takes on its brand-new format, with Arsenal set to play eight Champions League league phase games rather than the usual six group-stage games we've become accustomed to. The Thursday night kick-off has set up a tight turnaround ahead of Sunday's clash with City, so rotation could potentially be on the cards for the Gunners.
So, can Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign with three points? Let's take a look.
We simulated Atalanta vs Arsenal to get a score prediction
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 24 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions, however as we're still using EA FC 24, the kits are from last season, and squad numbers may not be accurate.
We predict that Atalanta could line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri; Lookman, De Ketelaere; Retegui.
We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Nwaneri, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Sterling.
Arsenal started fantastically in Bergamo, with Arteta's side testing the Atalanta 'keeper six times in the opening 10 minutes as they searched for a breakthrough. But, the promise shown in the opening stages slowly faded away as the first half went on, and as the hosts gained some control, they took the lead.
Ademola Lookman skipped past William Saliba inside the box before drilling a shot towards goal, but the defender recovered fantastically to block the striker's effort. Unfortunately for the Gunners, the ball fell to the feet of Marco Pasalic just outside the area, and the midfielder lifted the ball into the top corner to make it 1-0 with their first shot on target.
Frustratingly for Arsenal, they were doing everything right apart from scoring. Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, and Bukayo Saka were all guilty of missing fantastic opportunities, but with four minutes to go, an Arsenal substitute pulled a goal back.
Saka sent a fantastic ball in behind the Atalanta defence to meet the overlapping run of Ben White, and after skipping past Sead Kolasinac, the defender picked out Gabriel Jesus in the box. The Brazilian cut back onto his right foot to send the defender the other way, and a powerful strike beat the 'keeper to make it 1-1 late on.
Arteta's side almost snatched the three points at the death when Gabriel headed onto the post from a corner in the 94th minute, but it wasn't to be as the points were shared.