Atalanta vs Arsenal LIVE! Champions League result, match stream and latest updates today

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Evening Standard

·20 September 2024

Atalanta vs Arsenal LIVE! Champions League result, match stream and latest updates today

Double save from Spanish international helps Gunners to opening point

The first save was great. The second was even better.

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David Raya came to Arsenal's rescue in the Champions League on Thursday with a double save from a penalty that was celebrated by his teammates as wildly as a goal being scored.

It preserved a 0-0 draw with Atalanta in the opening round of matches in the revamped tournament, and provided a further demonstration of the shot-stopping qualities of a goalkeeper more renowned for his ability with the ball at his feet.

The Spain international dived to his right to block the 51st-minute spot kick taken by Mateo Retegui, after Thomas Partey tripped Ederson. Raya quickly got to his feet, scrambled across his line and then used his left arm to claw away a header from Retegui off the goal line after the ball had rebounded out to the Italy striker.

Raya gave a big roar and was mobbed by Arsenal's players in the goalmouth. The goalkeeper performed a similar double save in the Premier League this season at Aston Villa to deny Ollie Watkins, before Arsenal went on to score twice in the second half for a 2-0.

There were no late goals this time for Mikel Arteta's team, whose creativity and attacking spark has been hit by an ankle injury sustained by captain Martin Odegaard while playing for Norway during the recent international break.

Odegaard has "significant" ankle ligament damage that will keep him out of action for "a while," Arteta said before the Atalanta game.

Without its attacking midfielder, Arsenal underwhelmed before grabbing a goal from a corner in a 1-0 win over north London rival Tottenham on Sunday and was kept goalless by Atalanta, managing only two shots on target in Bergamo.

Manchester City is up next for Arsenal on Sunday in a meeting between the two favorites for the Premier League title.

With its attacking strength damaged, Arsenal might have to rely on a strong defensive performance to keep City at bay — like the team did last season in a 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium.

With Raya in such great form, it could happen again.

Live updates

8 hours ago

Good bye!

Thanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League draw at Atalanta.

Find our report, ratings, analysis and reaction below!

8 hours ago

Arteta hails 'exceptional' Raya but admits Arsenal 'lost control'

Mikel Arteta admitted David Raya's astonishing double save against Atalanta was the best he has seen in his career.

Raya ensured Arsenal avoided defeat in their Champions League opener by keeping out a penalty and the rebound from Italy striker Mateo Retegui.

Early in the second half, after Thomas Partey was beaten for pace by Ederson and pulled the Brazilian back, referee Clementin Turpin awarded a spot-kick.

However, Retegui was unable to stand and deliver thanks to the heroics of the Gunners keeper, who first dived to his right to beat out the penalty.

As the ball looped up, Retegui must have thought he had the simplest of headers, from six yards out into an empty net.

Read the full story here!

Fabrizio Carabelli/PA Wire

8 hours ago

David Raya reveals Inaki Cana conversation before stunning Arsenal save

David Raya has thanked Arsenal goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana for the role he played in his penalty heroics against Atalanta.

Raya secured Arsenal a point in Italy by making a stunning double save after keeping out Mateo Retegui’s second-half penalty.

The Gunners goalkeeper kept out Retegui’s spot-kick and then showed remarkable reflexes to save the follow-up header as well.

Raya’s save meant Arsenal drew their opening Champions League game 0-0 and the Spaniard has revealed how his goalkeeping coach, Cana, had a hand in it.

Read the full story here!

REUTERS

9 hours ago

Raya to the rescue but Arsenal lack spark without Martin Odegaard

Another game, another clean sheet and that feels like par for the course with Arsenal right now.

Even if Mikel Arteta’s side are undoubtedly feeling the effects in attack without Martin Odegaard, at least they can rely on their defence.

“The Thames Barrier” is how former Arsenal defender Martin Keown dubbed it after this point in Atalanta, while Rio Ferdinand labelled it the best in the Premier League.

It was the nucleus of their 0-0 draw with Atalanta as Arsenal kicked off their Champions League campaign with a point.

Read Simon Collings’ full analysis here!