David Raya’s Heroics Save Arsenal in Champions League Opener Against Atalanta
David Raya produced a moment of magic with a stunning double save, saving a penalty and a subsequent rebound to help Arsenal secure a 0-0 draw in their UEFA Champions League opener against Atalanta in Bergamo.
The Spanish goalkeeper’s heroics came in the second half when he saved a penalty and the subsequent rebound, in what proved to be the standout moment of an otherwise cagey and forgettable affair.
The game’s pivotal moment occurred after Arsenal’s Thomas Partey fouled Atalanta midfielder Ederson on the edge of the box, resulting in a penalty for the home side. Following a lengthy VAR check, the decision was upheld, giving Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui the chance to put his team ahead.
However, Raya had other plans. After consulting with Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, a fellow Spaniard he worked with during his time at Brentford, Raya stepped up to the challenge.
Retegui’s penalty lacked power, and Raya got down low to his right to palm it away. The real drama followed moments later, when Retegui looked certain to score from the rebound with a header toward an empty net. But Raya, in a display of remarkable reflexes, scrambled across the goal to scoop the ball off the line, denying Atalanta a sure goal.
It was a save that immediately drew comparisons to some of the greatest in Champions League and Arsenal history. Many fans likened it to David Seaman’s iconic stop against Sheffield United in the 2003 FA Cup semi-final — a save that has gone down in club folklore.
Outside of Raya’s moment of brilliance, chances were few and far between for both teams. Arsenal struggled to generate much in attack, failing to register a single shot between the 18th and 75th minutes.
Bukayo Saka’s free-kick and Thomas Partey’s follow-up attempt forced Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi into action, but beyond that, the Gunners failed to seriously threaten.
Atalanta, despite controlling more of the game, found it difficult to break through Arsenal’s disciplined defense, with Raya rarely tested outside of the penalty incident.
While the draw may feel like a missed opportunity for both teams to grab an early advantage in the group, Arsenal will leave Italy grateful for Raya’s match-saving efforts. His double save was not only the highlight of the match but also a reminder of why Arsenal brought him in during the summer transfer window.
As Arsenal move forward in their Champions League campaign, they’ll hope to build on this solid defensive display and find more fluidity in attack. But for now, David Raya’s heroics will be the lasting memory of a hard-fought point on the road.