Atalanta wary of Arsenal threat in Champions League

Sead Kolasinac knows he will be facing a side full of confidence when Atalanta host his former club Arsenal in the Champions League.

Kolasinac made 118 appearances over five seasons with the Gunners but he was a victim of boss Mikel Arteta's squad trimming in 2022 and moved to Marseille.

The 31-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina defender joined Serie A side Atalanta last summer and helped them win the Europa League.

But Kolasinac still keeps an eye on his old club and is well aware they will be on a high following Sunday's derby win at Tottenham.

"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."

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