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Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya admitted he was “lucky” to pull off a remarkable double save during his Champions League heroics against Atalanta. The Spaniard played a pivotal role in the Gunners’ goalless draw against the Italian side, earning the man-of-the-match award for his outstanding performance.

Raya’s moment of brilliance came after Atalanta were awarded a penalty following Thomas Partey’s foul on midfielder Ederson. Facing Italian striker Mateo Retegui from the spot, Raya initially dived to his right to parry the penalty. However, the ball fell kindly for Retegui, who seemed certain to score with a header into an open goal. Defying the odds, Raya scrambled across his line and clawed the ball away, leaving pundits and fans in awe.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya delivered a stunning double-save to deny Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui from the penalty spot, leaving fans and pundits in awe.

The Italian side were awarded a penalty midway through the second half after Thomas Partey was judged to have fouled Brazilian midfielder Ederson inside the box. VAR confirmed the decision, giving Atalanta a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. Retegui stepped up confidently to take the spot-kick, but Raya was equal to the task, diving to his right to parry away the initial effort.

However, the danger was far from over as the ball rebounded straight back to Retegui, who seemed poised to head home the follow-up. In a moment of sheer athleticism, Raya scrambled across his line to clear the ball, pulling off what many have dubbed one of the best saves in Champions League history.

I think we started the game very well. The first 25 minutes we read their approach really good. I think we played in the right areas with the right intentions without creating too many chances. After that we lost control of the game because we were very inconsistent with the ball. We gave a lot of simple balls away against teams that are man to man can leave you in transition moments because you’ve already lost your man and then there is space and you are in equal numbers in the backline or overloaded. We didn’t suffer defensively. That’s the reality. Then I witnessed two of the best saves of my career from David in that moment.

After that the game continued in the same way like after the first 25 minutes. We were very inconsistent. We had moments with the ball but we never got it into dominance or threat. We had a big chance for Gabi Martinelli to win the game that unfortunately he couldn’t take. So, a lot to improve.

David Raya was spotted in deep conversation with the Arsenal goalkeeper coach shortly before pulling off an unbelievable double-save to deny Atalanta from taking the lead. The Gunners kicked off their Champions League campaign with a trip to the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Thursday evening.

Shortly into the second-half, Ederson was brought down by Thomas Partey in the Arsenal penalty area. Without hesitation, the referee pointed to the spot. While the Video Assistant Referee reviewed the on-field decision, Raya was spotted receiving some instructions from Inaki Cana – his goalkeeper coach.

The Atalanta midfielder was later adjudged to have been fouled inside the 18-yard box, and Mateo Retegui stepped up to take the spot-kick. The Gunners shot-stopper denied the 25-year-old striker from converting his penalty, but he parried the ball back into the taker’s path.

As Retegui looked to score the rebound, heading the ball goal-bound, Raya sprung to his feet and pulled out an incredible reflex save. The Spain international clawed the ball off the line before Declan Rice ushered it out for a corner.

Arsenal secured a 0-0 draw against Atalanta despite a below par performance.

The two sides played out an appalling first half in Bergamo where a free kick from Bukayo Saka and a skied effort from Gabriel Martinelli were the only real highlights.

Things sparked into life almost immediately in the second period though as Thomas Partey was penalised for pulling down Ederson in the box. Mateo Retegui stepped up for the hosts but saw his penalty pushed out by David Raya before the Spaniard sprung up miraculously to keep out Retegui’s header on the rebound.

Arsenal then had decent chances through Martinelli, while Juan Cuadrado went close for the visitors. In the grand scheme of things it’s a positive point for the Gunners, whose focus will now turn to Sunday’s Premier League heavyweight clash with Manchester City.

The 23-year-old suffered a knock in the win over Tottenham Hotspur, signalling to come off a few minutes from time.

Saka was able to hobble off the pitch unaided, but Arteta wasn’t able to provide an update after the game.

He told reporters, as per the Evening Standard: “I don’t know. I made two changes with the front players and suddenly he’s down.

However, the same outlet has since reported that Saka was suffering from cramp, and that he joined his teammates in training ahead of flying out to Italy.

And on Wednesday night, Arteta gave Saka the all-clear, saying he was fine and is available for the Atalanta clash.

Arsenal have come agonizingly close to Premier League glory over the past two seasons, finishing runners-up behind Manchester City on both occasions. In the 2023/24 campaign, the Gunners amassed 89 points—an astonishing tally that would have secured the title in almost any other year.

Behind this resurgence is Mikel Arteta, who has overseen a remarkable transformation at the club. Since taking charge, Arteta has turned Arsenal into one of the most tactically astute teams in Europe, combining creativity and discipline to forge a side capable of challenging the very best.

Arsenal fans received the terrible news that Martin Odegaard’s injury is a significant one yesterday, as Mikel Arteta spoke at his press conference.

Martin Odegaard is the one player Arsenal could do without being injured as the heartbeat of the side in attacking areas, as well as the captain and leader on the field.

The return date of Odegaard is  to be around November, so it may be a while before we see him again.

Of course, there are options like Ethan Nwaneri, Kai Havertz potentially dropping deeper, or even Declan Rice moving higher up and Leandro Trossard slotting in.

However, for Mikel Arteta, nothing compares to having his star man in the side.

Interestingly, a former player who has suffered ankle injuries himself has shared how long he feels Martin Odegaard could be out for…

Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri is currently right on the cusp of his first team breakthrough under Mikel Arteta, who has previously been reluctant to rush the youngster.

In truth, Nwaneri has probably been ready to play minutes for Arsenal’s first team for some time, but Arteta has always been hesitant to set players up to fail.

However, given Martin Odegaard’s significant injury, Arsenal may now turn to Nwaneri on a more regular basis, especially after his contribution in the North London derby.

 

Arteta was able to confirm that Riccardo Calafiori is available for the trip to Atalanta.

The defender missed out on the win over Tottenham after being forced off during Italy’s Nations League clash against France earlier this month.

Calafiori took a knock to his calf in a freak collision when he was accidentally caught down the back of his leg by France’s Ousmane Dembele.

The Arsenal summer signing received treatment on the pitch and tried to play through the problem, but eventually had to be replaced.

Calafiori is now available once again, with Arteta saying: “Riccardo was able to train today and he will be available and in the squad.