Thomaz Oseghale
Mikel Arteta couldn’t hide his admiration for David Raya after the goalkeeper’s remarkable performance in Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Atalanta on Thursday night.
Raya’s extraordinary double save was hailed by Arteta as ‘one of the best I’ve seen in my career,’
In a tense second half, Atalanta was awarded a penalty that brought the game to a pivotal moment.
Mateo Retegui stepped up to take the spot-kick, only to have Raya dive to his right to deny him.
The rebound fell directly back to Retegui, who attempted to head it into the goal.
However, Raya’s quick reflexes saw him spring back into action, successfully scooping the ball off the line.
It was a stunning sequence that left Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, comparing Raya’s quick reactions to those of a ‘cat.’
When asked if Raya was currently the best goalkeeper in the world, Arteta declined to make a definitive claim but emphasized his exceptional performances for Arsenal.
Raya, humbly attributing his heroics to “luck,” explained his thought process during the penalty save.
He noted the importance of his goalkeeping coach, Inaki Cana, in helping him prepare during the lengthy penalty decision, and credited Cana for his guidance in making the critical saves.
Raya’s efforts ensured a clean sheet and preserved a point for Arsenal, who now look ahead to their upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday.
