Atalanta vs Arsenal LIVE: Champions League result and final score as David Raya makes stunning double save
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal: The goalkeeper produced a magical moment as the Gunners claimed a point away to the Europa League winners
David Raya made a stunning double save to keep out a second-half penalty as Arsenal held Atalanta to a 0-0 draw to begin their Champions League campaign in Italy.
Raya saved Mateo Retegui’s spot-kick down low to his right and then managed to scramble across the goal-line and keep out the Atalanta forward’s header from close range.
The Spanish goalkeeper was mobbed by his Arsenal team-mates for producing the sensational double stop, after Thomas Partey conceded the penalty for a clip on Atalana’s Ederson.
In a contest of few chances, Gabriel Martinelli blazed Arsenal’s best opportunity over the crossbar following a pass from Raheem Sterling as the Gunners were unable to find the breakthrough.
Bukayo Saka forced a good save from Marco Carnesecchi with a low free-kick early on before the Europa League champions took more control of the possession.
But a draw was a decent result for Arsenal, who now travel to Manchester City on Sunday for a crunch clash of last season’s Premier League title rivals.
Follow all the reaction from the 0-0 draw in the Champions League and Raya’s double save, below
Atalanta v Arsenal LIVE
Both sides are emerging from the tunnel at the Gewiss Stadium, and we are moments away from hearing the new version of that famous anthem.
Mikel Arteta explains starting Gabriel Jesus over Leandro Trossard
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sport, starting with his selection and opting for Jesus over Trossard:
“They always make me doubt but Gabi has been training really good - great experience and journey int he Champions League. We believe he is the right player to start.”
On whether Sunday’s trip to Man City played a part in his thinking:
“The full focus is on today. We have a tough match against a great opponent. We have to do our job and then we will focus on City.”
On facing Atalanta:
“It’s great atmosphere, a special ground. The way they play as well it’s with great personality and the coach has done something special here.
“They dominate a lot of aspects of the game - they play in a particular way as well, particularly the man-oriented style. The game becomes a battle and we have to be ready for that..”
Atalanta profile
Atalanta have had quite the Serie A story, rising from relative obscurity to becoming one of the league’s most intriguing sides.
Giasperini was appointed in June 2016 and the club’s fortunes immediately changed as the Italian, alongside players such as Papu Gomez, Josep Ilicic and a youngAlessandro Bastoni, led them to 4th place in Serie A.
Giasperini has kept the club in the right half of the league table ever since, finishing seventh and eighth on one occasion each but finishing third three seasons in a row between 2019 and 2021. In addition, Atalanta have been runners-up in the Coppa Italia three times during his tenure.
Despite becoming something of a Champions League regular in recent seasons, Atalanta’s crowning glory came last season, with a win in the Europa League final giving them just their second ever major trophy (after a Coppa Italia in 1962/63).
Players to watch: Ederson, Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere, Mateo Retegui.
Match facts
Arsenal will be the fifth English side that Atalanta have met in major European competition, after Everton (W2), Man City (D1 L1), Liverpool (W2 L2) and Man Utd (D1 L1). The Bergamo-based side beat Liverpool over two legs last season in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Atalanta’s last four UEFA Champions League games – which came in the 2021/22 group stage – have seen both them and their opponents score two or more goals (D2 L2). In the entire history of the European Cup, no side has ever both scored and conceded two-plus goals in five consecutive matches.
Atalanta team news and line-up
Atalanta include Europa League hat-trick hero Ademola Lookman in their starting XI, as well as former Gunner Sead Kolasinac.
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, de Roon, Ederson Silva, Ruggeri, De Ketelaere, Lookman, Retegui
Gabriel Jesus and Declan Rice return for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta makes two changes to his team that started against Tottenham at the weekend. Declan Rice returns from suspension and replaces Jorginho in midfield, while there is a surprise up front as Gabriel Jesus is handed a start. Leandro Trossard drops to the bench, with Kai Havertz expected to play in midfield.
Bukayo Saka is passed fit, Riccardo Calafiori is on the bench and there’s no Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal team news and line-up
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.
Subs: Neto, Porter, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Gower, S. Oulad-M’Hand, Trossard, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji.
Mikel Arteta’s tactical tweaks have built an Arsenal side capable of winning the Champions League
In some of the difficult early seasons in north London, and even when things started to pick up and there was interest elsewhere, there was a particular motivation that drove Mikel Arteta. That was to become the first manager to win the Champions League for Arsenal. While returning the Premier League trophy to the club has obviously been just as high, Europe’s greatest prize was repeatedly mentioned. There would obviously be something unique, and euphoric, about achieving that. You only had to see the glee on his face when Arsenal finally got back into the Champions League again last season. It was visible once more on Wednesday night, as he spoke about preparing for the Atalanta game and the heightened stage.
This is where the club belongs.
It is by now a well-worn discussion to ponder whether Arsenal are the biggest club to never win the Champions League, especially since it’s probably true. It also remains remarkable that London clubs as a whole only have two, both through Chelsea’s victories under Roman Abramovich in 2012 and 2021, respectively.
Mikel Arteta’s tactical tweaks have built a side that can win the Champions League
Today’s Champions League matches
(All times BST)
17:45 Feyenoord v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - TNT Sports 2
17:45 FK Crvena Zvezda v SL Benfica - TNT Sports 4
20:00 Atalanta BC v Arsenal FC - TNT Sports 1
20:00 AS Monaco v FC Barcelona - TNT Sports 2
20:00 Atlético de Madrid v RB Leipzig - TNT Sports 4
20:00 Stade Brestois 29 v SK Sturm Graz - TNT Sports 5
Martin Odegaard out for ‘a while’ with ‘significant’ ankle injury as Arsenal suffer injury blow
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after a scan showed “significant” damage to his ankle.
The midfielder suffered the injury on international duty with Norway and missed Sunday’s north London derby win at Tottenham.
Boss Mikel Arteta gave a gloomy update on Odegaard’s condition ahead of Thursday night’s Champions League clash with Atalanta in Italy.
“The scan showed some damage around the ligaments in the ankle so we are going to miss him,” said Arteta.
“It’s something quite significant so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully not months.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments