“Anytime I remember we’re playing Arsenal tomorrow, I feel like to collapse… That’s because I’m scared of that particular Arsenal player”: Atalanta best player says he’s feeling like to collapse anytime he remembers Arsenal game
One member of the Atalanta squad will need no introduction to the talent at Mikel Arteta’s disposal ahead of Thursday’s Champions League clash with Arsenal.
While much has changed at the Emirates since Sead Kolasinac departed back in 2022 – The Gunners finished fifth that previous season – there will be no shortage of familiar faces when Arsenal touch down in Bergamo.
Kolasinac played alongside Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka too, of course.
And, understandably, Kolasinac may not be looking forward to the idea of going head-to-head with Arsenal’s talismanic number seven on the flank during this week’s Champions League group-stage opener.
Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal face Atalanta in Champions League
The Bosnian left-back is likely to find himself in direct competition with right-winger Saka, after all.
And having presumably been the runaround by the London Colney graduate on many an occasion on the training pitch, this is a reunion Kolasinac could do without.
“Saka is a fantastic player,” the former Schalke and Marseille defender tells Tuttomercatoweb.
With an assist in each of Arsenal’s four games so far in 2024/25, Saka is obviously the first name on the lips of Atalanta supporters when discussing the biggest weapons in Arteta’s armoury. Especially with captain Odegaard out injured with an ankle problem.
Kolasinac also cannot speak highly enough of the man in the Gunners dugout these days. Even if it was under Arteta – who signed a new contract last week – that the German-born 31-year-old lost his place before leaving by mutual consent.
