RAYA SAVE WAS INCREDIBLE
Mikel Arteta admitted David Raya’s astonishing double save against Atalanta was the best he has seen in his career. The Spanish goalkeeper ensured Arsenal avoided defeat in their Champions League opener by keeping out a penalty and the rebound from Italy striker Mateo Retegui, saving the Gunners from a potential setback.
Early in the second half, after Thomas Partey was beaten for pace by Ederson and pulled the Brazilian back, referee Clementin Turpin pointed to the spot. The pressure was on, but Retegui’s moment was thwarted by the brilliance of Raya. The Arsenal keeper first dived to his right to beat out the penalty, an already crucial save. But what followed left everyone in awe. As the ball looped up, Retegui, poised for a simple header into an open net, found himself denied once again. Raya, displaying remarkable agility, got back on his feet and launched himself left to claw the ball away from the goal line, leaving Atalanta stunned and Gunners fans celebrating.
“I witnessed two of the best saves I have probably seen in my career to save us in that moment,” said an impressed Mikel Arteta. “Last year he was already very important, but this season he has started exceptional. Today he kept us in the game, that’s the reality.”
The praise from Arteta didn’t stop there. Although the Arsenal manager stopped short of declaring Raya the best goalkeeper in the world, he couldn’t hide his admiration. “I don’t know if he’s the best in the world, but he’s been exceptional for us, that’s for sure,” Arteta added, acknowledging the key role Raya played in keeping Arsenal’s Champions League hopes on track.
During the lengthy VAR check before the penalty was awarded, Raya was seen deep in conversation with Gunners goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana. The Spanish keeper later revealed the importance of that moment, telling TNT Sports: “I wanted to speak to him to more sense what to do and what not to do. There was a long time to decide if it was a penalty. It’s credit to him as well.”
Arsenal had a late chance to steal all three points when Gabriel Martinelli was put through on goal by substitute Raheem Sterling. However, the Brazilian was off balance as he rushed his shot, sending it over the crossbar and missing the chance to snatch victory in the dying moments.
The game in northern Italy wasn’t exactly the thrilling Champions League fare many had hoped for, with both Arsenal’s attack lacking sharpness and Atalanta playing conservatively. But following the tension-filled north London derby win over Tottenham and with a critical top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City looming, Arteta seemed content with the hard-fought point.
Reflecting on the performance, Arteta acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly as the Gunners prepare to face the reigning Premier League champions. “We lost control of the game because we were very inconsistent with the ball,” he admitted. “Defensively, we didn’t suffer, that’s the reality. We had a late chance with Martinelli to win the game, but unfortunately, it didn’t go in. We have to improve.”
Arteta knows that a much sharper and more consistent performance will be needed to challenge Manchester City at the Etihad. Nonetheless, Raya’s heroics and the team’s resilience in securing a point in Italy give the Gunners something to build on as they head into the crucial weekend clash.