Ademola Lookman reflects on tough UEFA Champions League clash against Arsenal

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Nigeria and Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman shared his thoughts after Atalanta BC’s goalless draw with Arsenal in their UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage match.

Despite Atalanta’s dominant performance, the Italian side failed to break down Arsenal’s well-organised defence at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Thursday night.

Lookman, who had been in fine form after a standout performance in Atalanta’s 3-2 win over Fiorentina, found himself heavily contained by the Gunners’ defence.

The Super Eagles star was unable to register a single shot on goal during the 89 minutes he was on the field. While he showcased his technical ability with the most dribbles and tackles in the match, Arsenal’s disciplined backline limited his attacking opportunities.

In a post-match interview with UEFA, Lookman praised Arsenal’s performance, acknowledging the difficulty of breaking through their defence. “It’s hard against a team like Arsenal to find space; they are a top team,” Lookman said. “The atmosphere was great, and so was our performance.”

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Despite his offensive struggles, Lookman’s all-round play was notable. He completed 96% of his passes, created two chances, made two key passes, and contributed to Atalanta’s efforts with ball recoveries and accurate crosses. However, a crucial missed penalty by teammate Mateo Retegui in the 51st minute added to Atalanta’s frustration as they missed a golden opportunity to secure all three points.

Fans reacted to the penalty miss, with some suggesting that Lookman, given his form and confidence, should have taken the spot-kick. Nevertheless, the result leaves both teams with a point each as they look ahead to the next matches in the group stage.

Lookman and Atalanta will now shift their focus back to Serie A, where they will face newly promoted Como at the Gewiss Stadium. As the season progresses, Ademola Lookman will aim to build on his promising performances and help Atalanta convert their dominance into crucial victories in both domestic and European competitions.