The game ended 0-0 with David Raya producing a memorable double penalty save to deny striker Mateo Retegui.
However, the 1,600-mile round trip came just three days before the Gunners travel to the Etihad to play top-of-the-table and defending champions Manchester City.
Sunday’s mammoth fixture in Manchester is already the season’s biggest game, and its result will undoubtedly have major implications in the 2024-25 title race.
Goldbridge has slammed UEFA for their fixture planning though.
The Champions League’s new format sees teams play on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — the first time teams in the Champions League have been expected to play so close to the weekend.
“Absolute disgrace Arsenal are playing on a Thursday night in Italy ahead of the game of the season on Sunday,” Goldbridge posted on X.
Arsenal have just three days between Atalanta and Manchester City.
[Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images]
“Shocking how UEFA can dictate and dilute the credibility of the Premier League.”
Some readers were quick to point out that although this is the first time teams in the Champions League have been expected to play on a Thursday night, its been standard practice for Europa League (and now Conference League) clubs to play three days before their next league fixture.
“Clubs have been playing Thursday Sunday for years now, they’ll have to rotate and deal with it,” one user said.
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