David Raya saves crucial penalty in Arsenal’s Champions League opener

David Raya made an unbelievable double save from a penalty as Arsenal drew at Italian side Atalanta in their  Champions League opener.

The Spaniard got down low to his right to keep out Mateo Retegui’s spot-kick and somehow got across his goal to scoop the striker’s follow-up header off the line.

That was the one real moment of drama and quality in an otherwise forgettable match in Bergamo.

Chances were at a premium, with Raya not needing to pull off any other saves outside of that two-second spell.

Arsenal, meanwhile, did not have a single shot between the 18th and 75th minute.

Like Europa League winners Atalanta, the Gunners’ only two shots on target came as part of a double save.

Marco Carnesecchi tipped away Bukayo Saka’s free-kick and blocked Thomas Partey’s follow-up.

It looked as if the game was going to go away from Arsenal when Thomas Partey clipped defensive midfielder Ederson on the left edge of the box.

A penalty was awarded and, after a long video assistant referee check, the decision stood.

Retegui’s penalty was not the best but Raya still did very well to dive to his right and keep it out.

The Italy striker, again, should really not have given Raya a chance with the rebound as he looked to head into an empty net on the other side of the goal.

Nobody in the ground expected Raya to have any chance of getting across in time to keep it out but he did, just before the ball fully crossed the line.