'We have studied them': Sead Kolasinac shares his honest thoughts on Arsenal ahead facing them with Atalanta

When Arsenal’s new Champions League campaign commences on Thursday evening, the Gunners will come up against a familiar foe in Sead Kolasinac.

Kolasinac made 118 appearances for Arsenal during his time in north London, winning an FA Cup medal in 2020.

But Mikel Arteta ultimately called an end to his time at the club in 2022 when agreeing to allow Kolasinac to join French Ligue 1 side Marseille for free.

Since, the left-footed defender has moved to Atalanta and won a Europa League medal last term, beating his old teammate Granit Xhaka in the final.

Ian Wright has already warned Arsenal about Ademola Lookman ahead of Thursday’s tie, and Kolasinac has now been speaking about Atalanta’s strength himself.

Sead Kolasinac shares what he’s noticed about Arsenal this season

Speaking via Italian source Pazzi Di Fanta, Kolasinac said that Atalanta had been studying Arsenal who have very solid players in defence.

And the former Arsenal player also complimented Arteta during the press conference, evidently proving that there are no hard feelings.

READ MORE: Riccardo Calafiori injury update as five Arsenal players miss training ahead of trip to Atalanta

Kolasinac said: “Happy to see my old teammates again. It’s always complicated to face English teams, but we’ve prepared well. 

“Against Fiorentina we discovered the special atmosphere of the new stadium, we can’t wait to see our fans again in the Champions League.

“I tried to help Atalanta straight away, both on and off the pitch. To play in the Champions League it’s important to enjoy the opportunities, as we did in the Europa League last year.

“Arsenal won the North London derby and have great, solid players in defence. We have studied them.

“They are young and strong, but so are we. Mikel Arteta is a great coach, and is doing a great job.”

Raheem Sterling could make his full Arsenal debut away in Italy

Arsenal may end up fielding a slightly altered team to the one that Kolasinac and his teammates will have been assessing from the North London derby.

Arteta could make three changes on Thursday night, given there is also an away trip to Manchester City on the horizon. 

Arsenal may be tempted to start Ethan Nwaneri, but perhaps the occasion of playing such a strong Italian side away from home might delay his full debut further.

Nwaneri coped admirably against Tottenham, but Arteta won’t want to rush things.

That being said, if Arsenal can win on both Thursday and avoid defeat on Sunday, it would represent a remarkable start to the season.