Arsenal started the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League with a 0-0 with Atalanta in Bergamo, picking up a point in their opening encounter.
Mikel Arteta’s team put up an impressive display and also had David Raya to thank for a hugely impressive double save he made at the start of the second half.
Arsenal conceded a penalty in the 48th minute as Thomas Partey clipped Ederson in the Arsenal box but Raya was there to save the day. The Spanish goalkeeper guess right to stop Mateo Retegui’s penalty and also the rebound.
Raya’s save got the football world buzzing and this includes Arsenal legend Martin Keown who sang his praises and making an interesting point on TNT Sports, as transcribed by BBC Sport.
David Raya saves a penalty from Matteo Retegui of Atalanta, followed up by a further save from a header by the Italoargentinian striker (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Keown said Raya is a “major player for Arsenal” now, but he acknowledged that Gunners fans “weren’t sure” about him initially.
“From the start David Raya stands tall, doesn’t move and then guesses the right way and saves the ball,” said Keown. “But the key thing is that he doesn’t give up on it and believes in himself.
“The goal is gaping and Mateo Retegui should score but take nothing away from how quickly Raya got back up and across to save again. That is four in the last eight penalties he has saved now.
“There is an element of luck and chance because you can’t know for certain where the ball is going. He parries the ball back into play and should get punished but his reactions were first class.
“When Raya took over from Aaron Ramsdale as number one the fans weren’t sure. He has that believe about himself and looks like a driving force.
After the game, Raya sought to play down his second world-class double save in quick succession, having done similar against Aston Villa.
“It’s just a penalty, I was lucky to go the right way,” he said on TNT Sports, as transcribed by Sky Sports News.
“I was unlucky to give the rebound straight to him but I was lucky to get up and save it. It’s great to keep the clean sheet and help the team get a point.
“The decision to go to the sideline was because it was a long time to decide if it was a pen or not.
“I went to the goalkeeper coach and asked where to go and where not to go, what to do and what not to do. He helps me with everything and helped me make the save.”
Raya will be eager to continue his good form when Arsenal head to Manchester City on Sunday, with kick-off at the Etihad Stadium scheduled for 4:30pm BST.
