Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed the performance of David Raya after his wonder double save ensured that the Gunners left with a goalless draw against Atalanta in Thursday night’s UEFA Champions League opener. The Spaniard was equal to incredible tasks as he first repelled Mateo Retegui’s 51st-minute penalty and then spectacularly denied the same player’s rebound header.
Arteta was full of praise, as he termed Raya’s effort one of the best he has ever seen. “I saw two of the best saves in my career from David in that moment,” Arteta said post-match. “We didn’t suffer defensively, apart from the penalty, but he saved us.”
Equally impressed was Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who likened Raya to a cat for his agility. “The first save is good, but the rebound is unbelievable. The goalkeeper was crucial,” Gasperini noted.
Raya, 29, was all humility afterwards as he gave credit to the goal for preparation and Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana. “I spoke with the goalie coach while VAR was checking the penalty. He helped me a lot in every aspect, so credit to him,” Raya said.
But despite Raya’s heroics, Arteta admitted that his side had struggled offensively. “We started well, but we never got the game under control,” he said frustrated by Arsenal’s killer instinct in possession. “We didn’t create dominance or real threat.”
While Arsenal escaped with a point, Arteta knows improvements are needed as they go into a challenging group stage ahead.
