Barcelona shown importance of top goalkeeper by Arsenal’s David Raya | OneFootball

A thrilling night of action in the Champions League on Thursday highlighted once more the importance of the men between the posts.

This was evidenced by the contrasting fortunes of the starting goalkeepers at Barcelona, and Arsenal.

The former endured an evening to forget in their European season opener, put to the sword by two goals to one by Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco.

And, en route to as much, playing a central role was shot-stopper Marc-André ter Stegen. Unfortunately for the German international, however, this came for all the wrong reasons.

First, inside the opening ten minutes, Ter Stegen was responsible for an awful pass out of defence, leaving Eric García stranded on his way to a last-man foul, and ensuing red card.

The 32-year-old was then left for dead by Monaco’s opener, before being poorly beaten for George Ilenikhena’s winner, directing an effort which was essentially straight at him into the empty net behind.

On a night when one leading European club were badly let down by their no.1, however, another had theirs to thank for what could prove to be an important point.

Premier League heavyweights Arsenal were held to a goalless stalemate in Italy, by Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta.

And as much, post-match, will be considered a point earned, rather than two dropped.

This comes after David Raya was responsible for a match-defining moment, early in the 2nd-half of action in Bergamo.

Faced by a Mateo Retegui spot-kick, Raya kept out the Italian international’s initial effort, before producing nothing short of a staggering reflex save on the rebound, too.

Arsenal’s man between the posts continues to impress, whilst Barcelona’s increasingly falters. A perfect showcase of the importance of having a top-class goalkeeper, under the bright lights of European nights.

Conor Laird – GSFN