Mikel Arteta admitted David Raya’s astonishing double save against Atalanta was the best he has seen in his career. Raya ensured Arsenal avoided defeat in their Champions League opener by keeping out a penalty and the rebound from Italy striker Mateo Retegui.
Early in the second half, after Thomas Partey was beaten for pace by Ederson and pulled the Brazilian back, referee Clementin Turpin awarded a spot-kick.
However, Retegui was unable to stand and deliver thanks to the heroics of the Gunners keeper, who first dived to his right to beat out the penalty.
As the ball looped up, Retegui must have thought he had the simplest of headers, from six yards out into an empty net. But Raya incredibly managed to get back to his feet and throw himself over to his left to claw the ball out from on the goal-line. “I witnessed two of the best saves I have probably seen in my career to save us in that moment,” said Gunners boss Arteta. “Last year he was already very important but this season he has started exceptional.