Lookman happy to be back for Atalanta, warns Arsenal ahead of UCL group phase tie

Ademola Lookman returned to action for Atalanta and scored the winner as the Bergamo side defeated Fiorentina 2-0 at the Gewiss stadium.

It was the Nigerian’s first game, first start, first assist and first goal of the 2024/25 season after the transfer impasse with the club at the beginning of the season and when he reportedly asked to be left out of the club’s opening serie A game at Leece.

The Nigerian boycotted training and was left out of the following two games, including the 4-0 hammering by Inter Milan before the international break.

Lookman returned to reckoning against Fiorentina on Sunday, a club he had netted thrice against in three Serie A games before the game on Sunday.

Lookman assisted Atalanta for the equalizer after the visitors scored first before netting the winner in first half added time.

“I’m happy to be back, we enjoy it. This year we have a strong team, I’m happy to be back in front of these beautiful fans,’ Lookman told DAZN after the match.

Asked about the visit of Arsenal on Thursday in the UEFA Champions League group stage, the 26 year old says they will play with the same mentality they played against Fiorentina.

‘We should play with the same mentality as today and we’ll see how it goes,’ he said.

Lookman has featured four times against Arsenal and has won just once and that was in Everton’s 1-0 win in April 2019. He has lost twice and drew once. He is still waiting for his first goal involvement against the Gunners.