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
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
21 mins
Neither side is dominating the match, though it is going exactly how Arsenal want it to at the moment. Untroubled in defence, and waiting for their moment to pounce in attack.
Atalanta look to launch a counter but a sea of red shirts sweeps back to stop it.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
18 mins
Havertz does well to collect the ball on the edge of the Atalanta box and keep possession. The away side keep possession, with Timber threading a clever throw-in into the path of Rice in the box. He cuts it back and it runs into the path of Martinelli, who arrows a shot wide at an angle.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
15 mins
The home side try the clever move as Retegui squares it to Lookman on the edge of the box, and the winger clips a chipped through ball over the Arsenal defence, which ends up being cleared for a corner.
From the corner, Atalanta work a half-chance, but the cross is headed high and wide.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
13 mins
Arsenal’s attack is far more patient than the home side’s, and Ederson pulls Saka back to concede a cheap free-kick near the area. He’s booked too.
Saka steps up to take the free-kick, and he drills it low towards the opposite corner, forcing a good save from Carnesecchi.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
9 mins
Atalanta have settled a little now, though they are still struggling to get any meaningful possession, with Arsenal happy to let them keep the ball in their half.
Retegui lays it off to Lookman, who spreads it wide to De Ketelaere, but the cross in is over the head of the ex-Everton winger.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
7 mins
A solid start overall from Arsenal, who are so far untroubled as they keep the ball in their half. Nothing clear-cut in attack yet though.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
5 mins
Havertz intercepts midway into the Italian half and drives towards the box, but he can’t get a shot on target.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
4 mins
Rice’s corner is punched away but Arsenal come again, before Martinelli’s ball goes out of play.
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
3 mins
A cagey first few minutes ends with the first attack of the match, as Saka’s deflected shot goes out for a corner.
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