Ademola Lookman stars with goal and assist in Atalanta's victory over Fiorentina

The win was crucial for Atalanta, the UEFA Europa League holders, who had suffered defeats in their previous two matches   2-1 against Torino and 4-0 against Inter Milan.

Atalanta fell behind early at home, conceding after just 15 minutes. However, they equalized six minutes later with Lookman s assist. He then scored the match-winning goal during first-half stoppage time making a dynamic run into the box from the left, drawing his marker and surprising the entire defence to slot the ball home from the same side.

The goal marked his first of the season and came in his first start of the new campaign and the 26-year-old has now turned his attention to to Atalanta's UEFA Champions League clash with Arsenal at the Gewiss Stadium on Thursday.

"Arsenal are a very strong team, and I know what to expect from them. Playing against a team of that level is always a difficult challenge, but we are ready," he told DAZN.

"We earned this place in the Champions League thanks to our great last season, and we want to show that we deserve to be here."

The English-born frontman, who has scored 25 times in eight appearances for the Super Eagles, is one of the frontrunners for the African footballer of the year.

He became the first player since 1969 to score a hat-trick in a one-legged European final in the 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final last season.

Due to his brilliant performances last season, the former Everton man is the only African player to have made the cut for the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or - the award for the best player in the world. 

READ MORE: Bayern Munich plan to secure Jamal Musiala's future amid transfer interest