David Raya’s gorgeous double save from Mateo Retegui’s penalty-kick earned a 0-0 draw for Arsenal towards Atalanta in Bergamo of their Champions League opener.
Raya went the best solution to deny Retegui from the spot after Thomas Partey had fouled Ederson, however much more spectacular was the way in which the Arsenal goalkeeper leapt to his toes to maintain out the follow-up header from the Atalanta striker. It was a unprecedented feat of agility by the Spaniard.
The Gunners had made a promising begin to the sport with Bukayo Saka forcing a save from Marco Carnesecchi with a low shot from a free-kick, however Mikel Arteta’s facet have been annoyed for lengthy intervals thereafter with Gian Piero Gasperini’s Europa League winners proving a troublesome check.
Gabriel Martinelli wasted Arsenal’s finest opening within the second half, spooning over the bar when clear by way of on the angle. However a draw represents a stable begin towards awkward opposition and Arteta’s ideas will now flip to that showdown with Manchester Metropolis on Tremendous Sunday.
Evaluation: Atalanta stifled Arsenal
Given the way in which that Atalanta outfoxed Liverpool in final season’s Europa League earlier than inflicting Bayer Leverkusen’s solely defeat of their marketing campaign within the ultimate, maybe Arsenal’s efficiency needs to be put into context. Gasperini’s facet could be tough opponents, tactically.
“They have played the same way under this coach for a long time and they are a very tough team to crack,” Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice advised TNT Sports activities. “They follow you all over the pitch and it is hard to adjust.”
Saka and Martinelli discovered that out. The Arsenal wingers thrive in one-on-one conditions and Arteta is a grasp at engineering it in order that they will isolate their full-backs. Atalanta’s 3-4-3 formation made that troublesome. Saka and Martinelli had the fewest touches within the first half.
Bukayo Saka has had essentially the most one-on-one conditions within the Premier League for the reason that begin of the 2022/23 season
Arteta: The most effective saves I’ve seen
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says his facet have quite a bit to enhance on after their 0-0 draw away at Atalanta within the Champions League however was filled with reward for goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta talking within the press convention:
“I think we played, especially with the ball, in the right areas with the right intention and were effective without creating many clear-cut chances. And after that we lost control of the game because we were very inconsistent with the ball, giving a lot of simple balls away.
“Towards a workforce which can be man-to-man clearly that causes you transition moments as a result of the second that you just lose your man there’s house and you’re in equal numbers within the again line or overloaded. Defensively, we didn’t endure. That’s the actuality.
“But obviously we gave the penalty away in the second half and I witnessed two of the best saves that I have seen in my career from David to save us in that moment.
“Final 12 months was already very spectacular and excellent however this season he has began exceptionally. The save towards Villa and in the present day, he stored us within the sport, that’s the actuality. You want that out of your keeper at this stage and I’m actually glad he’s within the kind he’s in in the mean time.”
Participant of the match: David Raya
David Raya talking to TNT Sports activities:
“We know it is a tough place to come, they are a magnificent team. They made it very difficult for us but we made it very difficult for them as well. They did not create many chances, just the penalty, that was it.
“I believe we might have performed a bit bit higher however we managed the sport. We weren’t at our greatest in the present day but when we can not win the sport, finest to not lose it.
“It was just a penalty where I was lucky to go the right way and save it. I was unlucky that it rebounded straight to him but I was just quick enough to get up and save the rebound. It is fantastic to be able to keep the clean sheet and at least help the team get a point.
David Raya dives to his proper to save lots of Mateo Retegui’s penalty
Arsenal’s David Raya will get as much as save Mateo Retegui’s follow-up shot for Atalanta after the penalty
“The decision to go to the sideline was because it was a long time to decide if it was a pen or not. I went to the goalkeeper coach and asked where to go and where not to go, what to do and what not to do. He helps me with everything and helped me make the save.
“In fact the gamers, workers and followers really feel they’re proud of me. Inaki [Cana] the goalie coach is so assured in me. I simply must ship for the followers and the membership. I am simply in a great way now and want to enhance as all the time.”
