It was a thrilling night of football as England Arsenal survived their Champions League opening game defeat to Atalanta but for the heroic penalty save by David Raya.
The goalkeeper’s heroics ensured that Arsenal went back to London with a barren goalless draw on Thursday night encounter with Atalanta.
This is following the Mikel Arteta’s coached side low-key performance in a red-hot atmosphere at the refurbished Gewiss Stadium.
The Premier League side survived defeat all thanks to goalkeeper Raya who pulled off an astonishing double save from the penalty box.
Raya stopped Mateo Retegui from netting first from the penalty spot and then on the rebound early in the second half.
No doubt, the floppy Arsenal missed Martin Odegaard to a serious ankle injury suffered on international duty with Norway. Though the team were largely solid but lacked imagination going forward. Except for an early spell of dominance, the team lost idea of finding a winner in the game. They only had to hang on till the final whistle.
Even the numerous introduction of players into them, could not produce result. This even as the Atalanta took over the midfield and clipped the Arsenal from operating from the wings.
Europa League holders Atalanta had the better of a tight game which featured little goalmouth action. The team will be encouraged by there efforts in their first Champions League match since being dumped out at the group stage in 2021.
Arsenal were on top in the opening first half. And only a fantastic double save from Marco Carnesecchi stopped the away side from going ahead in the 13th minute.
The Italian kept out Bukayo Saka’s drilled free-kick with a fantastic fingertip save. Before he quickly scurried across to block Thomas Partey on the rebound.
Atalanta are used to dictating the rhythm of games, even at grounds like Anfield. But initially Arsenal pressed the hosts into making constant mistakes with the ball.
It took Atalanta nearly half an hour to get a proper sight of goal. This is even as Charles De Ketelaere smashed high and way wide when neatly set up by Retegui on the edge of the area.
Atalanta, however, grew into the game and two minutes after half-time had the perfect chance to take the lead. This was when Partey clumsily brought down Ederson in the penalty box.
It took the VAR referees a long time to decide on the penalty kick.
Raya did brilliantly to guess the right way for Retegui’s penalty. And then somehow managed to get across the goal line to claw the Italy forward’s rebound header off the line.
The game dragged on and the closest anyone came to scoring after Raya’s miraculous goalkeeping was when Atalanta substitute Juan Cuadrado fired two long-range rockets. The first was just over and then inches wide as both teams settled for a draw.
On Sunday Arsenal head to Etihad to face league defending champions, Manchester City.
source: AFP
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
