Bukayo Saka became the first Arsenal player in Premier League history to provide an assist in each of the first four opening games of the season. Ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League clash against Atalanta, Sead Kolasinac believes the winger is the key to the game.
Kolasinac made over 118 appearances for the Gunners over a four year span before leaving in 2022. He joined Atalanta in July 2023 and was a regular in the team as they won the Europa League last season.
Arsenal face Atalanta in their first game of the Champions League this season. Mikel Arteta’s men have successfully qualified for the competition two seasons in a row and reached the quarterfinals last year.
Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is optimistic ahead of the game, and gave his opinion on the new champions league format:
“The objective is to stay in contention,”
“It will be difficult to get into the top eight and even staying between ninth and 24th will require us to pick up points in every match.
“We have a very tough obstacle to start with but it will be a good opportunity to gauge where we’re at.”
Bukayo Saka is a ‘special’ player – Sead Kolasinac
The defender pointed out that Bukayo Saka is the key to the game for Arsenal. Kolasinac was at Arsenal when Saka was breaking out as the star of the team. The 31-year old has some praise for the winger before their game on Thursday night:
“Saka is a fantastic player,”
“I think he’s doing a great job. He tries to put every minute of his time into the club, and this is starting to show results,” adds Kolasinac. “He’s an extraordinary coach. Very young.
“He still has a lot of room for growth.”
Saka had 16 goals and 9 assists in the Premier League last season as Arsenal finished in second place.
Atalanta are aware of how good Arsenal can be
Kolasinac also spoke on Arsenal, and how they have become such a great team under Mikel Arteta. The defender says he still watches Arsenal games:
“I’m happy to see my old team-mates again, it’s special,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
“It’s always difficult to play against English teams. They are physically strong. We watch a lot of the Premier League, and know it will be difficult but we have prepared well and we have a game plan to implement.
“Arsenal won the north London derby and are full of confidence. They have great players, are solid in defence and very dangerous at set-pieces.
“We are up against a team with an excellent shape, who can press high while remaining compact. They are a young side who know their strengths; and we know ours.”
Mikel Arteta would certainly be aware of how dangerous the Italian side can be, but this season, the Spaniard is confident that his team can win ‘ugly’ games.
