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Atalanta vs Arsenal LIVE: Champions League result and final score as David Raya makes stunning double save

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal: The goalkeeper produced a magical moment as the Gunners claimed a point away to the Europa League winners

Chris Wilson
Thursday 19 September 2024 23:30 BST
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Mikel Arteta provides update on captain Martin Odegaard's ankle injury

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

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

45 mins

Arsenal look to finish strongly as they have possession on the edge of the Italians’ box. Martinelli can’t shimmy past Zappacosta, and Partey hits it out of play after a mis-communication.

There’ll be one minute of added time.

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:46

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

43 mins

Ruggeri fires in an early cross that De Ketelaere can’t get under control, and Arsenal clear. Atalanta have possession again soon though, as Jesus fouls Kolasinac.

Another Arsenal attack ends as Partey squanders possession.

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:44

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

41 mins

Arsenal happy to keep the ball at the moment as they look to re-establish themselves in this match. Raya ends up going long and Havertz nods it down, but it runs out of play as Saka chases it.

A lull in notable activity over the last 10 minutes.

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:42

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

38 mins

A nice combination from Lookman and Ruggeri puts the latter into the Arsenal box, but it’s good defending from Saliba as he shepherds the Italian off the ball.

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:41

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

37 mins

An Arsenal attack breaks down after a sloppy pass from Partey, but the same happens at the other end after a poor ball from de Roon. Not a lot of attacking quality on show so far in Bergamo.

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:38

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

35 mins

The atmosphere at the Gewiss Stadium is impressive. Maybe it’s throwing Arsenal out of their groove. They lose possession again as Partey’s header falls to a blue-and-black shirt.

Not a lot really going on here, it must be said.

(REUTERS)
Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:36

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

32 mins

Atalanta have grown into the game over the last five minutes or so. They’re enjoying some more sustained possession, with one cross cleared before they re-build with de Roon.

The home side work some nice little combinations between Lookman, Zappacosta and De Ketelaere, but the Italian mistimes his run and Arsenal win the throw.

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:34

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

29 mins

Atalanta are keeping the ball well when they get around the Arsenal box, but they can’t find the penetrating pass – too often it ends up going backwards.

They finally find some good movement, with a ball being fizzed into Retegui in the box. he holds it up well and lays it off to De Ketelaere, who rifles a shot over.

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:31

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

27 mins

Ederson clips a weak ball in that Gabriel heads away, but Atalanta come again as Zappacosta’s cross flies through the box to the other side of the pitch.

The home side’s possession ends and Arsenal try and build a counter, with Kolasinac heading White’s cross away.

Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:29

Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

24 mins

It’s been a bit scrappy from Arsenal in the final third so far in truth, with Martinelli the latest to be guilty of losing the ball too easily. They certainly don’t look in any danger of conceding though.

No shots on target (from open play) for either side yet.

(REUTERS)
Chris Wilson19 September 2024 20:26

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