Raya the hero in timid Gunners performance

Arsenal got their European campaign underway by drawing 0-0 with Atalanta away from home in the Champions League.

It was a night when the visitors were far from their best, struggling to create much and lacking their usual sharpness in the final third.

And it could have been much worse for the North London club after Atalanta won a penalty early in the second half.

Thomas Partey brought down Ederson inside the box and Mateo Retegui stepped up from the spot but saw his first and second efforts saved by David Raya in what was a special piece of goalkeeping from the Spaniard.

Atalanta continued to push on in search of a winner but could not break through Arsenal’s typically strong defence, meaning both sides had to settle for a point in the end.

Read on to see how the action unfolded in Italy on Thursday night.

An important point in our Champions League opener ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/sxNPW0Njjw

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 19, 2024

How it happened

Arteta was forced into a few changes on the night, with Martin Odegaard set for an extended spell on the sidelines, Kai Havertz was dropped into a deeper role while Gabriel Jesus came in for a rare start.

Declan Rice was welcomed back into the starting XI, while both Leandro Trossard and Jorginho were the players to make way from the win against Tottenham on Sunday.

Despite dominating possession for large portions of the game, the Gunners were unable to break down a resolute Atalanta defence and managed only a handful of clear-cut chances on a frustrating night.

The first half was largely uneventful, with both sides struggling to create meaningful opportunities.

Arsenal looked the more likely to score early on, enjoying the majority of possession and testing Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi on a couple of occasions.

Bukayo Saka came close with a low-driven free-kick, which Carnesecchi did well to keep out, while Gabriel Martinelli fired a powerful shot over the bar from just inside the box.

⏰ 30 minutes gone in Bergamo…

⬛️ Saka free-kick saved by Carnesecchi
⬛️ Martinelli chance over the top

🔵 0-0 🔴 (30) pic.twitter.com/z82i8umnrr

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 19, 2024

Atalanta, on the other hand, slowly grew into the game.

They began to threaten towards the end of the first half, with forward Retegui causing problems for the Arsenal defence. However, the Italian side’s best chance of the half came from a speculative effort by Charles De Ketelaere, whose left-footed strike flew harmlessly over the bar.

As the teams headed into half-time with the score still 0-0, it was clear that both sides needed a spark in the second half to break the deadlock.

Arsenal, despite having more shots and touches in the opposition box, lacked a cutting edge, and Atalanta’s defence remained largely untroubled.

The second half brought more excitement, with Atalanta almost taking the lead early on.

In the 51st minute, the hosts were awarded a penalty after Partey brought down Ederson inside the box.

DAVID RAYA, TAKE A BOW!

One of the best double saves you’ll ever see 🤯

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/sPgZF293QI

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 19, 2024

Mateo Retegui stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his effort was brilliantly saved by David Raya.

The Arsenal goalkeeper then reacted quickly to deny Retegui from the rebound, making a spectacular double save to keep the scores level.

Despite Raya’s heroics, Arsenal struggled to impose themselves in the attacking third.

Jesus and Partey were both substituted early in the second half, with Leandro Trossard and Jorginho coming on to inject fresh energy into the team.

However, the changes did little to shift the momentum, as Atalanta continued to hold firm defensively.

Arsenal’s best chance of the match came in the 77th minute when Raheem Sterling, who had replaced the ineffective Saka, combined with Havertz to set up Martinelli.

Another double substitution…

↩️ Timber, Saka
🔛 Calafiori, Sterling

🔵 0-0 🔴 (73) pic.twitter.com/Mr9oa3R3Pq

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 19, 2024

The Brazilian found himself one-on-one with Carnesecchi but blazed his shot high and wide, missing a golden opportunity to give Arsenal the lead.

Atalanta had their own chances to snatch victory late on. In the 75th minute, Juan Cuadrado cut inside from the left and unleashed a curling effort just wide of Raya’s post.

Cuadrado was a constant threat for the Italian side, but Arsenal’s defence held firm.

As the final whistle went, both teams were left to reflect on missed opportunities.

Arsenal, who managed just one shot on target in the second half, will feel disappointed with their lack of creativity in front of goal, while Atalanta will rue their missed penalty and several near misses.

The draw leaves Arsenal with plenty of work to do in the new league format, while Atalanta will take confidence from their solid defensive display.

For Arteta, it could have been much worse, but attention will very quickly turn to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.