'It's hard' - Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman opens up on barren outing against Arsenal

Nigerian international and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman found himself in a challenging position as his side returned to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) against Arsenal.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reported that the game ended in a goalless stalemate against Premier League giants Arsenal at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Thursday night.

Despite a dominant performance from the home team, including a missed penalty by Mateo Retegui in the 51st minute, Atalanta couldn't break through Arsenal's well-organised defence.

The match highlighted the tactical prowess of Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta, whose side proved to be a formidable opponent in the opener.

Lookman, who had kicked off his season in style with a stellar performance against Fiorentina over the weekend, found himself effectively contained by Arsenal's defence for 89 minutes.

While he completed the most dribbles and tackles in the match, boasting an impressive 96% pass completion rate, the Super Eagles forward was unable to register a single shot on goal.

In a post-match interview with UEFA, Lookman acknowledged the quality of the opposition:

"It's hard against a team like Arsenal to find space, they are a top team. The atmosphere was great and so was our performance."

Despite the offensive struggles, Lookman's all-round game was noteworthy. The Nigerian created two chances, made two key passes, completed two out of three attempted crosses, and contributed three ball recoveries.

The result leaves both teams with a point each in their Champions League group, setting the stage for an intriguing battle as the tournament progresses.

For Lookman and Atalanta, the focus will now shift to their next European encounter, where they'll hope to convert their dominant play into goals and secure a crucial victory.

Up next, Lookman and his Atalanta teammates will return to the Serie A where they welcome newly promoted Como to the same venue.