English Premier League
UCL: Ian Wright hails Atlanta’s Ademola Lookman ahead of Arsenal clash
By Monsurah Olatunji
As Arsenal prepares to open their 2024/25 Champions League campaign against Atalanta, North London club legend Ian Wright has raised concerns about Nigerian Ademola Lookman.
The Super Eagles star has been in superb form for Atalanta since last season having helped them clinch their first-ever European trophy — their first major trophy since 1963.
Lookman has been a standout performer since joining the Bergamo-based club in 2022. The Nigeria international contributed 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 games last season and was particularly impressive in the Europa League final, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the competition’s history.
The 26-year-old continued his last season form, having returned to the starting lineup last weekend and provided an assist with a masterclass move before scoring the winning goal against Fiorentina in Atalanta’s comeback.
His performance has earned him a spot in the 30 players on the Ballon d’Or list recently released and he is also the favourite to win the CAF Africa Player of the Year award following his outstanding performance in the 2023 AFCON.
Speaking ahead of their Champions League meet-up, Arsenal legend Ian Wright acknowledged Lookman’s growth and hinted that he would soon surpass Atalanta.
“Oh gosh, did you see his (Lookman’s) first assist with the way he just flicked it? So good. It’s really beautiful football, I’m so pleased for him. Yeah, he worries me,” he said on Wrighty’s House podcast.
“But we’ve got Ben White on that side if he’s going to be on that side. And you know what? I’m pleased for him.
“His journey, where he’s gone, what he’s doing now, you could see a big move, you could see a move for him.
“I’d love him to stay there, he’s been so good at Atalanta. The way he’s worked up, all the way from Charlton to where he is now… You’d believe that Atalanta is not his final destination in his mind.”
