Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini sends 'intensity' warning ahead of Arsenal clash

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has been speaking ahead of Thursday night’s Champions League clash with Arsenal. The Gunners kick off their Champions League campaign in Bergamo against an Atalanta side that has caused many top teams problems over recent years with their uncompromising attacking style.

Though, they haven’t been at their best so far this season, picking up six points from their first four games in Serie A, losing 4-1 to Inter Milan and 2-1 to Torino. But Gasperini’s men turn it on in Europe and they certainly did so last season, winning the Europea League and beating Liverpool on their way to the final.

Arsenal will need to be on their best guard, especially as they continue to deal with injuries and also competing in a physical North London derby over the weekend. Gasperini is also acutely aware of the Gunners’ threat, though, saying in his pre-match press conference: “It’s not just their aerial power, the way they run, move the ball and have fantastic dynamism. Arsenal are a great reference point in England, they dominated the Premier League last season along with Manchester City and Liverpool.

“We have never played against them and I think they will be a big test for us because of their intensity, quality and pace. We’re not used to teams with those characteristics, this could be a problem for us. We too are going to be a test for them, we are playing at home and every point against these teams is precious for qualification, because I expect the table will be very tight.”

Atalanta will also have the added benefit of playing in front of an ever-raucous Gewiss Stadium, and their club CEO Luca Percassi highlighted that, saying: “Everything is heard more, the echo is huge, it is a force both when we are below and when we win.”