David Raya pulls off a sensational world class double save after a penalty to earn Arsenal a draw against Atalanta in the Champions League.
Raya went the right way to deny Retegui from the spot after Thomas Partey had brought down Ederson on the 50th minute mark.
The Gunners had David Raya to thank for the point earned in Bergamo; saving Mateo Retegui’s second-half penalty before leaping to keep out the follow-up header.
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
“I witnessed two of the best saves that I have seen in my career” 🤩
Mikel Arteta is feeling grateful for David Raya! #UCL pic.twitter.com/m4mwTj8rmq
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 20, 2024
It’s almost 10 years to the day since David Raya made his professional debut for Southport in the National League. They lost 3-0 that day to Macclesfield.
Some rise 📈 pic.twitter.com/EFcu7imweS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 19, 2024
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya speaking to TNT Sports, transcribed by BBC Sport:
On the penalty save: “It was just a penalty and I was lucky to go the right way. I was unlucky that the rebound went straight to him [Retegui] but I was quick enough to get up and save it. It is fantastic to be able to keep the clean sheet and to help the team to get at least a point.
On the VAR wait: “It was a long wait and time to decide if it was a penalty or not, so I just wanted to speak to the goalkeeper coach to have more of a sense of which way I should go, what to do and what not to do.
“Credit to him because he helps me a lot in every aspect. He does all the work with everything and he also deserves credit for the save.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports, about David Raya’s double save: “It’s probably one of the best saves I have seen in my career. He was unbelievable.”
On his team’s performance: “As we suspected, it was a tough match. Not the nicest to watch. We started really, really well and we were really commanding the game.
“We gave a lot of ball away and couldn’t get any rhythm. There are a lot of positives and there are a lot of things for sure to improve.”
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya speaking to TNT Sports: “We know this is a tough place to come, they are a magnificent team and put a lot of pressure on us. We made it very difficult for them as well, they did not create many chances, the penalty and that’s it.
“A point away from home in the first game of the Champions League, we could have played better, but I thought we managed the game well. We weren’t at our best so if we cannot win the game then let’s not lose it.”
Player ratings
Atalanta:Carnesecchi (6), Djimsiti (7), Hien (7), Kolasinac (7), Zappacosta (6), De Roon (7), Ederson (7), Ruggeri (6), De Ketelaere (7), Retegui (5), Lookman (6).
Subs: Cuadrado (7), Zaniolo (6), Bellanova (6), Pasalic (n/a), Samardzic (n/a).
Arsenal: Raya (8), White (7), Saliba (7), Gabriel (7), Timber (7), Rice (6), Partey (5), Havertz (6), Saka (6), Jesus (6), Martinelli (5).
Subs: Jorginho (6), Trossard (6), Sterling (7), Calafiori (6).
Player of the match: David Raya.
incredible double save David Raya 🤯🧤 pic.twitter.com/lyCwZwvise
— أحمد 𓂆 🇵🇸 (@amd_851) September 20, 2024
Rice speaking to TNT Sports about team-mate David Raya:
“He is so level headed that he has not changed one bit [throughout the situation]. When Rammers [Aaron Ramsdale] came out of the team and David was starting he didn’t change his mannerisms or the way he was.
“It is massive pressure. He was our number one last season, he is now fully our number one, there is no doubt or questions around that anymore.
“That is three games this season where he has made crucial saves – he is doing everything right and is living away from the game the right way and that is showing on the pitch.”
Rice speaking to TNT Sports: “It is really, really tough to win away in the Champions League. This side were European champions last year and they have had the same manager for nine years now, they play a man-to-man game all over the pitch and it is not easy.
“The main thing tonight is that we defended well, our high press was good, but with the ball we can be 10 or 15 times better.
“We gave the ball away sloppily a few times tonight when we could have hurt them. We took a few more touches instead of playing quick one and two touch all the time.”
On the tests in the game: “They follow you all over the pitch and it is hard to adjust and beat them. That is why we were trying to threaten in behind, the centre halves were following us deep so we tried to exploit that. Martinelli had a great chance at the end from that. On the ball we have to be better than what we showed tonight.
“We want to win every game, that is the ambition of the players, the manager and the club, but we have a tough group and a point to start is OK.
“We have PSG next at home which will be a great game, but we know in this format that you have to win. We’ll take each game at a time.
“We turn back to the Premier League now but the Champions League is what we want to set our sights on because we know we have the players to do it.
“We are all gutted in there – it is a clean sheet but we want to win.”
Twitter users reacted as David Raya pulls off a sensational double save after a penalty to earn Arsenal a draw against Atalanta…
Keeping Smart Goalkeeping Services: Great patience to make the initial save and look at how he spins his legs to create a valuable split second of time to be in the best position to make the second save. The striker doesn’t anticipate the speed of recovery and has it counted. This is when desire and technical skills work together to create these moments of beauty ❤️ 😍 ⚽️
Thomas Kennedy: Absolutely outrageous double save. Not an Arsenal fan, but, for me, he’s the best ‘keeper in the Prem. And, I think it’s his recovery ability that really does set him apart.
Elliot Leicester: Some saves them
Raul Dev: Raya is astonishing goal keeper and probably the best in the world
Josh Poyzer: Outstanding bit of goalkeeping
Ricky Wight: Quality double save 💯💯
Con Bozza Watters: Some keeper him 😮💨
Kuto Jos: Unbelievable! Completely out of this world. This guy deserves all the respect and honor. I have never seen anyone who commits and devotes so much to football than him. Massive respect David Raya 🐐🐐
Dewi Jones: Always rated him he’s world class and just keeps getting better and better. Doubt ramsdale would have saved them this is why raya is first choice and Arteta seen it way before the Ramsdale fan club
Mildred Phiri: Give Raya his golden glove already
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