Grapevine

By Punch
Sep 19, 2024

Raya’s heroics earn Arsenal goalless draw against Atalanta in UCL opener

The Premier League side would likely have been defeated had goalkeeper Raya not pulled off an astonishing double save to stop Mateo Retegui from netting first from the penalty spot and then on the rebound early in the second half.

“It’s just a penalty and I was lucky to go the right way and save it,” Raya told TNT Sports.

“I was unlucky to give the rebound straight back to him but I was quick enough to get up and save it.

“It’s fantastic to be able to keep the clean sheet and to help the team to get a point.”

Missing Martin Odegaard to a serious ankle injury suffered on international duty with Norway, Arsenal were largely solid but lacked imagination going forward and after having an early spell of dominance never looked like winning.