Atalanta BC lineup vs. Arsenal: Predicted XI for first Champions League fixture

Following last term's Europa League heroics, Atalanta BC return to the Champions League on Thursday evening, as they welcome Arsenal to the freshly renovated Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

Ademola Lookman was La Dea's star man in Dublin, firing home a hat-trick to win the final, and after a summer of uncertainty in the transfer market, the Nigeria international was recalled to the starting XI on Sunday - and to immediate effect.

Having been linked with the Gunners, among others, Lookman was given the cold shoulder by Gian Piero Gasperini, but after scoring in a 3-2 win over Fiorentina he should now feature behind Mateo Retegui in the Nerazzurri's front line.

Either Charles De Ketelaere or one of two summer signings - Lazar Samardzic and Marco Brescianini - is set to join them towards the top of a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Italy striker Retegui - signed as cover when Gianluca Scamacca was struck down by an ACL injury last month - has adapted quickly to life in Lombardy, scoring four times in as many Serie A matches so far.

While having an abundance of options in the final third, Gasperini has had to deal with numerous defensive absences of late: Giorgio Scalvini (ACL), Rafael Toloi (muscular) and Ben Godfrey (back) are all injured, but Berat Djimsiti and ex-Arsenal man Sead Kolasinac both recently returned.

Former Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Odilon Kossounou is still waiting to make his debut in defence, and it may be that Kolasinac and Djimsiti are again favoured alongside Isak Hien.

Meanwhile, Raoul Bellanova and Matteo Ruggeri are favourites to occupy the wing-back berths, with Ederson and Marten De Roon most likely holding off competition from Mario Pasalic to start in midfield.

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup: Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui

> Click here to see how Arsenal could line up for this Champions League contest