Arsenal's Champions League opener against Atalanta in Bergamo was a lackluster affair, but David Raya's breathtaking double save from a penalty will be etched in memory.
The Spanish goalkeeper's incredible reflexes denied Mateo Retegui's spot-kick and follow-up header, single-handedly preserving the 0-0 deadlock.
In an otherwise uneventful match, Raya's heroics stood out as the sole moment of brilliance. Atalanta's Retegui was poised to break the deadlock, only to be thwarted by Raya's lightning-quick reactions.
Chances were scarce, with Arsenal failing to muster a single shot between the 18th and 75th minutes. The Gunners' only meaningful attempts came via Bukayo Saka's free-kick and Thomas Partey's follow-up, both of which were expertly blocked by Marco Carnesecchi.
Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions, fared no better, with their two shots on target also resulting from a double save.
Raya's pivotal intervention ensured Arsenal returned to London with a valuable point, setting the stage for their next Champions League challenge.
Key Takeaways:
- David Raya's stunning penalty double save steals the show.
- Arsenal and Atalanta share the spoils in lackluster opener.
- Both teams struggle to create meaningful scoring opportunities.