Atalanta vs Arsenal LIVE: Champions League result and final score as David Raya makes stunning double save | OneFootball

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Mikel Arteta provides update on captain Martin Odegaard's ankle injury

David Raya made a stunning double save to keep out a second-half penalty as Arsenal held Atalanta to a 0-0 draw to begin their Champions League campaign in Italy.

Raya saved Mateo Retegui’s spot-kick down low to his right and then managed to scramble across the goal-line and keep out the Atalanta forward’s header from close range.

The Spanish goalkeeper was mobbed by his Arsenal team-mates for producing the sensational double stop, after Thomas Partey conceded the penalty for a clip on Atalana’s Ederson.

In a contest of few chances, Gabriel Martinelli blazed Arsenal’s best opportunity over the crossbar following a pass from Raheem Sterling as the Gunners were unable to find the breakthrough.

Bukayo Saka forced a good save from Marco Carnesecchi with a low free-kick early on before the Europa League champions took more control of the possession.

But a draw was a decent result for Arsenal, who now travel to Manchester City on Sunday for a crunch clash of last season’s Premier League title rivals.

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David Raya magic rescues Arsenal but Champions League draw raises further questions

A double save reflects a double-edged display. It could have been worse for Arsenal, it never really looked like getting much better. That may be more of an issue for this new Champions League than Mikel Arteta, who seemed content enough to come from Atalanta with a 0-0 draw and an opening point. That was largely thanks to both the intelligence and instinct of David Raya.

The goalkeeper first saved Mateo Retegui’s penalty after a quick run to goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana during a check, before somehow getting up to palm away the forward’s rebound. It ensured yet another clean sheet for Arsenal, their fourth in five games this season. If such defensive assurance is going to bring a lot of nils on one side of the scoreboard, though, the increasing question is whether a certain attacking predictability without Martin Odegaard will also lead to more nils on the other side, too.

David Raya magic rescues Arsenal but Champions League draw raises further questions

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal: The goalkeeper produced a magical moment as the Gunners claimed a point away to the Europa League winners

Miguel Delaney19 September 2024 23:02

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Arteta speaks to TNT

Mikel Arteta is last to speak to TNT, and he calls tonight “a very tough match”.

“We started the game really well, playing in the areas we wanted to play, and after that we could not get any rhythm or momentum.

“At that moment, we needed probably one of the best saves I’ve seen in my career.

“Europe is very different games to the Premier League, but [there are] a lot of positives, and a lot of things to improve.

“It’s a game that demands the best individually. You need to be composed, good in duels, and we missed that.

The Spaniard looks disappointed as he finishes by saying that Arsenal “need to improve”.

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 22:35

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Rice is next up in front of the cameras. He says “it’s tough to win away in the Champions League. Really tough”.

“They’ve had the same manager for nine years. The main thing tonight, we defended well again, but with the ball, we could’ve been a little bit better.

“[It’s] really difficult. They’re a really tough tem to crack, it’s hard to adjust [to the way they play].

“I think it’s a good point to start, obviously we want to win every game, but we have a tough group. We’ve got PSG next at home which’ll be a great game.”

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 22:15

FULL-TIME! Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

David Raya is first to speak to TNT, and he says that Atalanta are a “magnificent team”.

“It’s a tough place to come. A point away from home, the first Champions League game, I think we could’ve played more and played a little bit better, but we managed the game well.

On his penalty: “It’s just a penalty, I was lucky to go the right way. I was quick enough to get up and save the rebound, so it’s fantastic to be able tog keep the clean sheet and help the team get a point.

“It was a long wait and a long time to decide, so I just went to speak to the [goalkeeping] coach to have a sense of where to go. Credit to him as well.

When asked what has been behind his good performances of late, he says: “Everyone, the players the staff ,the fans, the belief that they have in me. The goalie coach is so confident in me [too]. I’m in a good way now. I’ve got things to improve , but I’m in a good place right now.”