Atalanta 0 Arsenal 0: David Raya the hero in drab game as Gunners get off to underwhelming start to Champions League
WITH Manchester City up next, this was not the week for Arsenal to go cold in front of goal.
But with David Raya in between the sticks, the Gunners will always be in safe hands.
The Spaniard pulled off a stunning double save from Mateo Retegui’s 51st minute penalty – the latest addition to his collection of world class stops since becoming the club’s No.1.
As VAR checked Thomas Partey’s foul on Atalanta’s Ederson in the box, Raya sprinted over to the Arsenal dug-out for a last-minute chat with goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana.
Not that Raya needs any advice on saving penalties, such is his superb record, sending Arsenal to the Champions League quarter finals with two shoot-out stops against Porto last season.
He won the Prem’s Save of the Month in August for an insane reactive stop on his own goal line to deny Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but this one was arguably even more jaw-dropping.
Down to his right to palm away Retegui’s first attempt and then back to his feet like a tasered eel scrambling to his left to fingertip the follow-up header destined for the corner.
It is a save that earned a below-par Arsenal a point in their Champions League opener against a tough Italian outfit, but a performance that will leave Mikel Arteta potentially far more concerned than relieved.
A reasonable result at any other time, this will feel like a confidence-deflator ahead of their title-defining trip to the Etihad in two days’ time.
In their hard-fought victory at Tottenham on Sunday, attacking flair was few and far between, instead replaced by defensive solidity, winning the game via more set-piece magic.
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But yet again in Bergamo, Arteta’s boys were found guilty of lacking an eye for goal, unable to dig out a moment of brilliance from open play to win a tight contest.
Another goalless draw against City would not be disastrous, but last season’s 0-0 between the pair ultimately cost Arsenal a first Prem title in 20 years, ending the term two points from glory.
Arsenal ratings vs Atalanta as Raya saves uninspiring Gunners in Italy
ARSENAL had some David Raya heroics to thank for a points in the Champions League opener.
Raya’s stunning double save just after the break spared Thomas Partey’s blushes after the midfielder gave away a penalty.
And that was the closest either side came to a goal in the 0-0 draw.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Mikel Arteta’s men…
David Raya – 9
Produced a simply stunning double save to stop Mateo Retegui’s penalty and then flung himself across to push away the follow-up rebound header – even better than his effort to deny Ollie Watkins.
Robbie Savage labelled it the “best save I’ve ever seen” while Gunners fans lauded their Spanish hero, who has conceded just once in five games so far this term.
Ben White – 7
Given the daunting task of trying to keep Ademola Lookman quiet inside a rocking Gewiss Stadium but completed the job with his classic relaxed, languid demeanour.
William Saliba – 8
One of the world’s top centre-backs but did not need to be anywhere near his best – solid enough when called upon, including excellent late sliding tackle in own box.
Retegui showed great movement but Saliba will have far sterner tests this season, none more so than up against Erling Haaland on Sunday.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Like his partner Saliba, Gabriel helped ensure the Arsenal defence came out on top.
Starting to run out of words to say about this pair who just concede so few chances.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Adds an extra dimension to this Arsenal side – showing just how much he was missed when sidelined last season.
Arguably had the easiest evening’s work of the four defenders.
Thomas Partey – 4
Martin Keown described the Gunners’ retraction en masse during the transition as Arteta putting up his own “Thames Barrier”.
But Partey nearly allowed the floodgates to open by giving away the penalty three minutes into the second half – only to be rescued by Raya’s heroics.
Declan Rice – 6
Top awareness to sniff out the Atalanta danger and help control midfield.
But squandered a great chance to drive Arsenal forward when he won the ball on the halfway line and could have launched a potent counter.
Kai Havertz – 6
With Jesus starting up front, Havertz dropped into a deeper role – but he is perfectly comfortable there, too, and can carry the ball forwards.
Little to show for his evening, though, but continued to put a shift in defensively until the final whistle.
Buakyo Saka – 6
Drew the foul from Ederson who collected an early yellow and from the resulting free-kick almost squeezed a low effort into bottom corner but for top save.
Given a breather for final 20 minutes with an eye on Sunday.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Captain on the night was his typical busy self early on getting himself around but virtually all of his involvement was outside the Atalanta penalty area.
Withdrawn before the hour mark.
Gabriel Martinelli – 4
Struggled to get in the game and then when he did get in, squandered a really good chance when he blazed over.
Definitely not hitting top form so far this season and may well find himself among the subs against Manchester City.
There is the sense that Arteta’s men need to change the narrative, seize the initiative and dent Pep Guardiola’s winning-machine when they get the chance.
But right now, Arsenal couldn’t ripple a child’s paddling pool, let alone the back of the net.
Through gritted teeth in the build-up, Arteta revealed his skipper and talisman Martin Odegaard would be out for the foreseeable future with ankle ligament damage.
But amid the injury crisis growing by the day in his squad, Arteta had options to play with as Declan Rice was back after suspension and Riccardo Calafiori returned from a calf knock.
Yet there was no rest for the big hitters with just two changes from the North London Derby – Rice and Gabriel Jesus coming in for Jorginho and Leandro Trossard.
A bold call from Arteta with a potentially title-defining clash sooner than he would have liked. The Spaniard eyed momentum and a winning mentality heading to the Etihad.
In the early stages, it looked as though Arteta’s decision would be validated as Arsenal took control with some slick play, dominating proceedings with ease.
Saka cut inside and had a fizzed effort deflected out for a corner. Kai Havertz then linked up with Jesus but the German’s attempt dribbled wide after driving into the box.
The win at Spurs was at times edgy, nervy and an unpleasant watch for the neutrals. The Gunners were pinned in with their backs against the wall and defending resolutely for spells.
There was a different feel to this one. A sense from the visitors that they could toy with their opponents and hit them with moments of brilliance at any given moment.
But there was a no real urgency or aggression as Arsenal looked to be going through the motions. Saka’s low curler of a free-kick forced Marco Carnesecchi into his first stop.
Another Ballon d’Or nominee in Ademola Lookman was doing his best to spark his own side into life, drifting inside and chipping into the box as Rice covered well at the back post.
Charles De Ketelaere pinged over after a rare foray into the Arsenal box. Raya was yet to muddy his shorts.
Huff and puff responded Arsenal in attack. Gabriel Martinelli blazed over with a panicked finish after a cute throw-in routine from the playbook of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
For all their possession, Arteta’s men were as blunt as airport cutlery as the half-time whistle blew. The travelling Arsenal fans are not usually kept waiting for goals these days.
Three minutes into the second half, they were treated to some goalmouth action, but at the wrong end as Partey was turned far too easily, tangling himself up in Ederson’s legs and sending the Brazilian to the deck.
Referee Clement Turpin pointed to the spot immediately before VAR decided to take an age to complete their check. Arteta spent it waggling his finger in the air from his technical area.
Raya’s save – something that is now expected, not just hoped for – did little to galvanise his teammates.
Subs Raheem Sterling, Jorginho, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori were ineffective.
Arsenal have now won just one of their last six away games in Europe, a real surprise given their incredible run of 10 wins from 11 on the road in the Prem in 2024.
Bergamo blushes spared, Arteta needs a significant away-day moment this weekend.