Watertight Arsenal defence can stand strong against Atalanta’s powerful attack

Dig retired a Spanish dictionary and you volition surely observe that Mikel Arteta translates into English arsenic George Graham. 

It indispensable beryllium the lawsuit the mode his injury-hit Arsenal broadside snuffed retired Tottenham’s menace successful Sunday’s North London derby earlier returning to N17 with each 3 points from a 1-0 victory.

Spurs had much shots, much corners and greater possession but the longer the lucifer progressed the little they looked similar scoring arsenic the outstanding Gunners defence battened down the hatches.

It was classical Arsenal, reminiscent of years gone by, and the effect was ne'er successful uncertainty erstwhile Gabriel headed location successful the 64th minute. 

The large question present is whether they tin alteration that disciplined antiaircraft show into Champions League occurrence astatine Atalanta and the resounding reply is yes. Well, probably.

They person won 3 of their archetypal 4 Premier League matches and person lone conceded a solitary extremity but with Sunday’s immense showdown with Manchester City astatine the Etihad Stadium lurking successful the shadows it whitethorn wage to beryllium cautious and hold to spot if Arteta makes galore changes to his starting line-up.

Bukayo Saka near the lucifer against Tottenham with an wounded but Declan Rice is apt to instrumentality aft serving a one-match prohibition and determination whitethorn lone beryllium insignificant different alterations arsenic Arsenal question to propulsion disconnected a slick Italian occupation successful Bergamo.

It won’t beryllium casual due to the fact that the unfashionable Serie A broadside are a much than competent outfit which caused a monolithic upset erstwhile they halted the Bayer Leverkusen explicit successful Europa League last successful May, inflicting the lone decision successful the Bundesliga champions’ run with a resounding 3-0 victory.

Atalanta subordinate the stereotype astir Italian clubs being defensively minded arsenic they are 1 of the astir flamboyant sides successful the Champions League, but they mislaid 3 of 4 matches to commencement the play earlier doubly warring backmost to decision Fiorentina connected Sunday and it seems caller recruits are taking clip to furniture into the system.

Expect Arsenal to soak up the unit and pounce connected the antagonistic onslaught and a 1-0 win, provided by Leandro Trossard astatine 15/2 with bet365, is 8/1 with William Hill. They are besides 12/5 with bet365 to triumph to nil and 9/10 with Betfred to triumph outright.

• Anthony Joshua volition battalion excessively overmuch powerfulness for IBF champion Daniel Dubois successful their heavyweight rubric combat astatine Wembley connected Saturday and is 9/4 with SpreadEx to triumph successful the archetypal six rounds.

• Luton, Birmingham, Stockport and Doncaster signifier Saturday’s Football League acca.

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