Atalanta 0–0 Arsenal
Champions League report 
by Layth Yousif in Bergamo

ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta hailed keeper David Raya’s remarkable double save from a penalty that earned a hard-fought Champions League point at Atalanta.

Raya proved to be the Gunners spot-kick saving hero after denying Mateo Retegui with a superb double block on Thursday evening in northern Italy.

In the city of Bergamo's passionately atmospheric cauldron that was Atalanta’s Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, the Gunners goalkeeper kept out a second half effort from the spot by Atalanta’s No23, before following up with an even better athletic block moments later from Retegui’s headed rebound, to deny the home side victory. 

Speaking after the match in his post-match press conference that the Morning Star attended, Arteta described it as “one of the best saves I’ve seen in my career.”

The previous evening Arteta had revealed the Gunners talisman captain Martin Odegaard had picked up a ‘substantial’ ankle ligament injury that would rule the influential Norway captain out for an unspecified period of time, even if Arsenal welcomed back Declan Rice, who returned to the starting XI following his controversial sending off against Brighton at the end of August. 

Amid the relentlessly ear-splitting cacophony of noise, provided by Atalanta’s passionate fans throughout the match - after serving up a colourful blue and white Tifo display before kick-off - Bukayo Saka’s early low free kick forced a full-stretch save from Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi. Prior to the Rimini-born 24-year-old thwarting Thomas Partey’s follow-up with an excellent double save of his own. 

Just before the half hour mark, Charles De Ketelaere’s effort flew across David Raya and just the wrong side of the Arsenal’s keeper’s far post, in a reminder that Gian Piero Gasperini’s current Europa League holders are emphatically not Champions League cannon fodder. 

Far from it, as, emboldened by the booming home support they pushed the visitor’s backline deeper and deeper – even if, despite the tremendous atmosphere, the game flickered, rather flamed, in a goalless opening 45 minutes 

Little did we know the match was about to burst into life two minutes after the interval, when the disappointing Partey tangled with tangled with No15 Marten de Roon in the box, leaving referee Clement Turpin no choice but to award a penalty – even if VAR took an interminable age to confirm.

Up stepped Retegui to take the fateful penalty.

As the 22,667 spectators in the sold-out stadium fell momentarily silent for the first time during the game, in expectation of a successful outcome, a stuttering run up from Atalanta’s No32 saw Raya guess correctly and pull off an excellent save.

Better was to come for Spain’s Euro 2024 winner, as the Gunners keeper – who celebrated his 29th birthday by keeping a clean sheet during last Sunday’s North London derby victory - pulled off a second, arguably better save, to deny the crestfallen Retegui, by displaying remarkable agility to keep the ball out. 

It was good to note the continued upward trajectory of Raya’s Arsenal career, as well as his burgeoning confidence, following the travails of his first season, when usurping fans’ favourite Aaron Ramsdale last term.

Speaking after the game, a modest Raya said: “The players, the staff, the fans, they have belief in me…and I just have to deliver for the club,” adding: “I’m in a good way now. I’ve got things to improve as always, but I’m in a good place now.”

Once the ball was cleared the Arsenal team surged over to the former Brentford keeper to acclaim his brilliance, after demonstrating such outstanding anticipation, reflexes and bravery in making the pair of superb stops in a matter of moments – keeping the score goalless and leaving Atalanta frustrated.

As the match progressed it was Arsenal who were left frustrated with only 15 minutes remaining, when Gabi Martinelli fired over when well-placed, leaving jack-in-the-box boss Arteta frustrated on the sidelines.

With Spurs beaten in the North London derby last weekend, and Manchester City up next at in the north west on Sunday, a hard-fought point at the intimidating Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia was well-earned by hero Raya.

No wonder Gasperini was impressed, praising Raya by describing him as a “cat”, even if Atalanta’s experienced boss was far from the only one purring over the Arsenal keeper's exploits.