Sports
Champions League: Raya’s Double Save Earns Arsenal Point At Atalanta
The Spanish goalkeeper dove low to his right to stop Mateo Retegui’s penalty and then miraculously recovered to deny Retegui’s follow-up header on the line.
In a match lacking excitement in Bergamo, this sequence was the standout moment of quality.
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Opportunities were scarce for both sides, with Raya largely untroubled apart from that brief moment of heroics.
Arsenal struggled offensively, going without a shot between the 18th and 75th minutes. Like their opponents, Arsenal’s only real threat came from a double save, as Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi first parried Bukayo Saka’s free-kick and then blocked Thomas Partey’s rebound attempt.
It looked as if the game was going to go away from Arsenal when Thomas Partey clipped defensive midfielder Ederson on the left edge of the box.
A penalty was awarded and, after a long video assistant referee check, the decision stood.
During that wait Raya went over to talk to Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach, his fellow Spaniard Inaki Cana, who he also worked with at Brentford.
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Whatever they discussed worked.
Retegui’s penalty was not the best but Raya still did very well to dive to his right and keep it out. The Italy striker, again, should really not have given Raya a chance with the rebound as he looked to head into an empty net on the other side of the goal.
Nobody in the ground expected Raya to have any chance of getting across in time to keep it out but he did, just before the ball fully crossed the line.
It is a save that will be mentioned alongside some of the greats, including Arsenal legend David Seaman’s against Sheffield United striker Paul Peschisolido in the 2003 FA Cup semi-final.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta spoke beforehand about how he hopes the club can go far in the competition this year.
This game came in a big week for the club, with Premier League matches against rivals Tottenham and champions Manchester City on either side.
The new Champions League format means it is perhaps less clear whether early results are good or bad, but Atalanta – who won last season’s Europa League – are a quality team, so a point at their home is a credible result.
Gabriel Jesus started up front and captained Arsenal, with Kai Havertz playing in midfield – with regular skipper Martin Odegaard sidelined for some time through injury.
It was not a game of clear chances, bar the double saves.
Saka and Havertz had efforts in the opening six minutes, with Gabriel Martinelli lifting two shots over the bar later on.
They were the only chances Arteta’s side had.
Arsenal now move on to Sunday’s huge match with title rivals City, as they look to finally beat Pep Guardiola’s side to the Premier League trophy.
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