Arsenal might solely handle a goalless draw from their opening Champions League encounter of the 2024/25 season in opposition to Atalanta.
After a goalless first half in northern Italy, it was Gunners goalkeeper David Raya who made the distinction after the break when he produced a wonderful double save from Mateo Retegui’s penalty.
Arsenal stored final season’s Europa League winners at bay for giant intervals however could not create a lot themselves, finally settling for a degree on their first European tour of the brand new marketing campaign.
How the sport unfolded
After a mature and environment friendly efficiency on the street within the north London derby, Arsenal have been by no means more likely to be overawed within the opening phases on the Gewiss Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s facet dominated the early proceedings in Bergamo, with Bukayo Saka’s pushed free kick virtually handing them the lead.
Regardless of Arsenal’s territorial dominance and measured strategy, they struggled to interrupt down an Atalanta facet that defended man-for-man throughout the pitch. The Italian outfit began to construct in confidence because the minutes handed and created their first actual opening on the half-hour mark as Charles De Ketelaere fired vast from the sting of the field.
A primary half for the purists drew to a muted shut as Atalanta and Arsenal cancelled each other out. Nonetheless, after seeing how the Serie A facet dismantled Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen in final season’s Europa League, Arteta would have been happy together with his facet’s composure in a troublesome setting.
Arteta’s contentment was short-lived within the second half, nonetheless, with Thomas Partey gifting the hosts a penalty two minutes after the restart. However the Ghanaian midfielder was bailed out by his goalkeeper Raya, who produced a wonderful penalty save and an excellent higher cease from the rebound to disclaim Retegui.
Atalanta did not let the missed penalty dent their spirits and so they continued to extend their depth within the ultimate third. Substitute Juan Cuadrado was subsequent to threaten Raya’s aim however the former Chelsea man curled a 20-yard effort simply over the Arsenal crossbar.
Raheem Sterling was launched within the closing phases as Arsenal appeared to steal victory and the loanee made a right away affect. His neat by ball set Gabriel Martinelli up with quarter-hour to play however the Brazilian cannoned his close-range effort over the crossbar.
Nonetheless, neither facet might make the all-important breakthrough because the clock ticked down, with each groups seemingly glad to simply accept a degree from their first Champions League outing of the time period.
GK: David Raya – 9/10 – Spent the primary half twiddling his thumbs and attempting to maintain heat however was shortly known as into motion after the break. The Spaniard produced a really sensational double save from Retegui’s penalty to safe a degree.
RB: Ben White – 7/10 – Subdued final season’s Europa League ultimate decider Ademola Lookman, coping properly in one-v-one duels with the previous Everton and Fulham ahead. Did not have an excessive amount of freedom within the Atalanta half.
CB: William Saliba – 8/10 – Composed from the primary minute to the final and did not put a foot mistaken up in opposition to a full of life Atalanta ahead line. The French defender produced an excellent sliding problem to disclaim Lookman late on.
CB: Gabriel – 7/10 – After scoring the winner within the north London derby on the weekend, the Brazilian was stored entertained by the indefatigable Retegui buzzing across the ultimate third. Nonetheless, he largely received the battle round his personal penalty space.
LB: Jurrien Timber – 6/10 – An unspectacular however strong show from Arsenal’s utility man at left-back, with De Ketelaere typically left pissed off by the Dutch defender.
DM: Thomas Partey – 3/10 – Unfastened in his distribution all through and carelessly handed Atalanta a spot kick early within the second half after being bamboozled by Ederson. Substituted earlier than the hour mark following a disappointing outing.
CM: Kai Havertz – 5/10 – Stepped into midfield and was concerned in loads of duels with blended ranges of success. Could not replicate the attacking dynamism that Arsenal missed in Martin Odegaard’s absence.
CM: Declan Rice – 7/10 – A typical Rice efficiency in each halves, bossing the midfield battle out and in of possession. Produced an vital headed intervention early doorways and picked up some fascinating superior positions.
RW: Bukayo Saka – 6/10 – The winger’s free kick was the closest both facet got here throughout a tame first half, with Saka more and more remoted as the sport wore on. Barely had a kick throughout the second half and completed up with simply 28 touches.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – 6/10 – Pressed and harried throughout his 58 minutes on the pitch however did not exhibit the same old stellar shut management and aptitude we have grown accustomed to. Created three possibilities for teammates, although.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – 6/10 – As anticipated, Martinelli was an brisk livewire down the left-hand facet, placing within the yards in each halves. However his affect within the ultimate third was restricted and he fluffed Arsenal’s finest second within the second half.
Substitutes
SUB: Jorginho (58′ for Partey) – 6/10 – Definitely carried out higher than the person he changed and stored issues ticking alongside within the centre of the pitch.
SUB: Leandro Trossard (58′ for Jesus) – 6/10 – Livened issues up instantly however didn’t construct on a busy begin.
SUB: Raheem Sterling (73′ for Saka) – 7/10
SUB: Riccardo Calafiori (73′ for Timber) – 6/10
Subs not used: Jack Porter (GK), Neto (GK), Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Jimi Gower, Salah Oulad M’Hand, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
Supervisor
Mikel Arteta – 6/10 – Solely Arteta can say whether or not or not he’s happy by a degree at Atalanta on what was a considerably irritating evening for the Gunners. His facet’s defensive organisation was spectacular however their lack of leading edge within the ultimate third was barely regarding.
