David Raya played the part of hero as Arsenal began the UEFA Champions League group stage league phase with a 0-0 draw away to Serie A side Atalanta on Thursday.
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Atalanta were awarded a penalty shortly after halftime, but Raya was not only to the task of saving it, but also the rebound from point-blank range. Arsenal had just six shots in the game, including one in the second half.
Arsenal were again shorthanded with Martin Odegaard (ankle), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) and Kieran Tierney (thigh) still unavailable through injuries. The Gunners will now have 24 fewer hours to rest, recover and prepare for Sunday’s colossal clash away to four-time defending Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday (11:30 am ET).
Not to relitigate the David Raya/Aaron Ramsdale situation, but…
Just 13 months since Raya joined Arsenal, it’s easy to forget how controversial the decision to move on from Aaron Ramsdale was at the time. Ramsdale was 25 at the time and had just started all 38 games as the Gunners finished runners-up to Manchester City in the PL title race. Goalkeeper was hardly a “need” for Arsenal, yet someone at Arsenal let their wandering eye gaze upon west London, where Raya had been superb for two top-flight seasons in Brentford’s high-tempo system that asked oh so much of the goalkeeper when in possession of the ball.
Looking back, it is now easier to see Ramsdale’s shortcomings not only with the ball, but as a shot-stopper and defensive organizer as well, largely because Raya has excelled to such a degree. Raya persevered through some early mistakes and has since joined Alisson and Ederson in the conversation for PL’s best goalkeeper. On Thursday, he doublehandedly earned the Gunners a point by making an incredible double save to deny Mateo Retegui first from the penalty spot, then again off the rebound. Combined xG for the pair of one-on-one shots: 1.23.
Player ratings - Atalanta vs Arsenal
Atalanta vs Arsenal updates - by Andy Edwards
Atalanta vs Arsenal live score: 0-0
Goalscorers: None
PENALTY SAVE! DOUBLE SAVE! David Raya refuses to be beaten by Mateo Retegui
DAVID RAYA WITH A STUNNING DOUBLE SAVE 🧱 pic.twitter.com/O6xGhOpS7F
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 19, 2024
Arsenal starting lineup
Raya - White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber - Partey, Rice, Havertz - Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
Atalanta starting lineup
Carnesecchi - Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac - De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta, Ruggeri - De Ketelaere, Lookman, Retegui
How to watch Atalanta vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Thursday (September 19)
Venue: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Atalanta focus, team news
It is always a good time watching Atalanta as Lookman, Pasalic, Retegui, Cuadrado, Zaniolo and De Ketelaere are all majestic attacking talents. Roared on by their home fans in their tight 21,000 capacity stadium in Bergamo (due to not being up to UEFA standards it wasn’t available to host games the last time Atalanta were in the Champions League, so this game is a big deal), Atalanta will make this a very hostile occasion for Arsenal. The way they play will be uncomfortable for Arsenal and Atalanta are very dangerous on the counter attack so the Gunners may play deeper, just as they did at Tottenham on Sunday.
Arsenal focus, team news
Arsenal are still without Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mikel Merino and captain Martin Odegaard, while Riccardo Calafiori is back in training. Declan Rice will come back into midfield after his one-game domestic suspension, while Bukayo Saka is fit after hobbling off towards the end of the north London derby. Arsenal will likely go with the same back four that started at Spurs with Rice coming in for Jorginho in midfield, Raheem Sterling potentially for Gabriel Martinelli on the left and Gabriel Jesus probably isn’t fit enough to start after recovering from injury.
Atalanta vs Arsenal prediction
This is going to be a fun one but Arsenal will aim to be solid like they were against Tottenham and launch counters of their own and make set-pieces count once again. The Gunners will get it done but it won’t be easy. Atalanta 1-2 Arsenal.
