David Raya made a stunning double save to keep out a second-half penalty as Arsenal held Atalanta to a 0-0 draw to begin their Champions League campaign in Italy.
Raya saved Mateo Retegui’s spot-kick down low to his right and then managed to scramble across the goal-line and keep out the Atalanta forward’s header from close range.
The Spanish goalkeeper was mobbed by his Arsenal team-mates for producing the sensational double stop, after Thomas Partey conceded the penalty for a clip on Atalana’s Ederson.
In a contest of few chances, Gabriel Martinelli blazed Arsenal’s best opportunity over the crossbar following a pass from Raheem Sterling as the Gunners were unable to find the breakthrough.
Bukayo Saka forced a good save from Marco Carnesecchi with a low free-kick early on before the Europa League champions took more control of the possession.
But a draw was a decent result for Arsenal, who now travel to Manchester City on Sunday for a crunch clash of last season’s Premier League title rivals.
Follow all the reaction from the 0-0 draw in the Champions League and Raya’s double save, below
Arsenal’s UCL fixtures
Below is a recap of Arsenal’s fixtures in this competition. Mark them in the diary!
19 September 2024 20:00 Atalanta BC (A)
1 October 2024 20:00 Paris Saint-Germain (H)
22 October 2024 20:00 FC Shakhtar Donetsk (H)
6 November 2024 20:00 FC Internazionale Milano (A)
26 November 2024 20:00 Sporting Clube de Portugal (A)
11 December 2024 20:00 AS Monaco (H)
22 January 2025 20:00 GNK Dinamo (H)
29 January 2025 20:00 Girona FC (A)
Arteta speaks to TNT
Mikel Arteta is last to speak to TNT, and he calls tonight “a very tough match”.
“We started the game really well, playing in the areas we wanted to play, and after that we could not get any rhythm or momentum.
“At that moment, we needed probably one of the best saves I’ve seen in my career.
“Europe is very different games to the Premier League, but [there are] a lot of positives, and a lot of things to improve.
“It’s a game that demands the best individually. You need to be composed, good in duels, and we missed that.
The Spaniard looks disappointed as he finishes by saying that Arsenal “need to improve”.
Rice speaks to TNT
Rice finishes with question about how he feels at Arsenal, and how the team feels about their upcoming game with City.
“It’s been small margins. I could see the ambition, the trajectory of the club. It’s a long season, we’ve got until May, it’s going to be a long road. [We need to] keep our heads down and I’m sure good things are coming for this club.
“When you’ve got a solid base and a solid group, everyone knows the objective going into the game, and that’s going to be needed at the Etihad on Sunday.
“They can hurt you at any time, but we want to go their this time to win, and it’s crucial for our season”.
Rice speaks to TNT
Rice adds that the Champions League is “something we want to set our sights on, because we’ve got the players to do it”.
“[We’re] delighted with another clean sheet. When you’ve got a triangle like that [of Raya, Gabriel and Saliba], it’s really good, but were gutted in there. We want to win.
On Raya, he adds: “He’s so level headed, he didn’t change his mannerisms at all [when Ramsdale left]. Now he’s fully number one, he’s fully focused, and that’s three games now where he’s made crucial saves.”
Rice is next up in front of the cameras. He says “it’s tough to win away in the Champions League. Really tough”.
“They’ve had the same manager for nine years. The main thing tonight, we defended well again, but with the ball, we could’ve been a little bit better.
“[It’s] really difficult. They’re a really tough tem to crack, it’s hard to adjust [to the way they play].
“I think it’s a good point to start, obviously we want to win every game, but we have a tough group. We’ve got PSG next at home which’ll be a great game.”
FULL-TIME! Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
David Raya is first to speak to TNT, and he says that Atalanta are a “magnificent team”.
“It’s a tough place to come. A point away from home, the first Champions League game, I think we could’ve played more and played a little bit better, but we managed the game well.
On his penalty: “It’s just a penalty, I was lucky to go the right way. I was quick enough to get up and save the rebound, so it’s fantastic to be able tog keep the clean sheet and help the team get a point.
“It was a long wait and a long time to decide, so I just went to speak to the [goalkeeping] coach to have a sense of where to go. Credit to him as well.
When asked what has been behind his good performances of late, he says: “Everyone, the players the staff ,the fans, the belief that they have in me. The goalie coach is so confident in me [too]. I’m in a good way now. I’ve got things to improve , but I’m in a good place right now.”
FULL-TIME! Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
No chances in the final minutes and it peters out before the referee blows the final whistle.
Arsenal take a draw and one point from their first match in the new format of the Champions League.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
There’ll be four minutes of added time here.
Atalanta come forward but in truth, as they’re missing their main striker, they’re offering little threat. They do win a corner though, after good work from an isolated Zaniolo.
Cuadrado delivers, but Gabriel makes two good defensive headers to clear before Raya snuffs out the danger.