Ian Wright names one Atalanta player who worries him ahead of Arsenal's UCL clash against Italian side
Arsenal great Ian Wright has named Ademola Lookman as one Atalanta player he is worried about ahead of the Gunners' trip to Bergamo in Italy. Mikel Arteta's side will take on the Europa League champions in their UEFA Champions League opener on Thursday, September 18.
Ahead of his former club's UCL opener against Atalanta, Wright has singled out Ademola Lookman. The former England striker has hailed how the 26-year-old has found his feet in Italy after not managing to impress in England and Germany.
Ian Wright has claimed that he is worried that the England-born Nigerian international could hurt Arsenal.
The Gunners legend said on on the Wrighty’s House podcast, as quoted by TBR Football:
“Oh gosh, did you see his first assist with the way he just flicked it? So good. It’s really beautiful football, I’m so pleased for him. Yeah, he worries me. But we’ve got Ben White on that side, if he’s going to be on that side."
"And you know what? I’m pleased for him. His journey, where he’s gone, what he’s doing now, you could see a big move, you could see a move for him," he added.
Wright has insisted that he has followed Lookman's career path since his Charlton Athletic days and is pleased with his development. He also backed the versatile attacker to leave Atalanta in near future.
The former Arsenal striker said:
“I’d love him to stay there, he’s been so good at Atalanta. The way he’s worked up, all the way from Charlton, all the way to where he is now. You’d believe that Atalanta is not his final destination in his mind, as great as it can be for them."
"And it’s not disrespectful, but like he’s got a level of playing now where you can see why people would say, I could, yeah I could use him," he added.
Ademola Lookman has been exceptional for Atalanta since joining the Serie A side in 2022 for a reported fee of just €15 million. He has been a revelation under Gian Piero Gasperini having scored 33 goals and provided 19 assists in 80 games for La Dea.
The winger played a pivotal role in helping Atalanta secure the Europa League last season and scored a hat-trick in the final. His exploits saw him attract the attention from Europe's biggest clubs this summer including the likes of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Arsenal receive major update on Martin Odegaard's injury
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has reportedly consulted a specialist to assess the extent of the injury he suffered during the last international break. The attacking midfielder sustained an ankle injury on international duty with Norway earlier this month.
As reported by The Evening Standard via TBR Football, the former Real Madrid playmaker has seen a specialist. However, the results are yet to be revealed as his return date is yet to be confirmed.
Odegaard already missed the North London Derby although Arsenal secured a 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur. He is also certain to miss the Gunners' Champions League opener against Atalanta and Premier League clash against Manchester City.