U.S. DAILY SPORTS

Raya the hero in timid Gunners efficiency

James Pier


Arsenal bought their European marketing campaign underway by drawing 0-0 with Atalanta away from residence within the Champions League.

It was an evening when the guests had been removed from their greatest, struggling to create a lot and missing their typical sharpness within the closing third.

And it might have been a lot worse for the North London membership after Atalanta gained a penalty early within the second half.

Thomas Partey introduced down Ederson contained in the field and Mateo Retegui stepped up from the spot however noticed his first and second efforts saved by David Raya in what was a particular piece of goalkeeping from the Spaniard.

Atalanta continued to push on in quest of a winner however couldn’t break by means of Arsenal’s sometimes robust defence, which means either side needed to accept some extent ultimately.

Learn on to see how the motion unfolded in Italy on Thursday evening.

The way it occurred

Arteta was compelled into a number of modifications on the evening, with Martin Odegaard set for an prolonged spell on the sidelines, Kai Havertz was dropped right into a deeper function whereas Gabriel Jesus got here in for a uncommon begin.

Declan Rice was welcomed again into the beginning XI, whereas each Leandro Trossard and Jorginho had been the gamers to make means from the win towards Tottenham on Sunday.

Regardless of dominating possession for giant parts of the sport, the Gunners had been unable to interrupt down a resolute Atalanta defence and managed solely a handful of clear-cut probabilities on a irritating evening.

The primary half was largely uneventful, with either side struggling to create significant alternatives.

Arsenal appeared the extra prone to rating early on, having fun with nearly all of possession and testing Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi on a few events.

Bukayo Saka got here shut with a low-driven free-kick, which Carnesecchi did nicely to maintain out, whereas Gabriel Martinelli fired a strong shot over the bar from simply contained in the field.

Atalanta, then again, slowly grew into the sport.

They started to threaten in the direction of the tip of the primary half, with ahead Retegui inflicting issues for the Arsenal defence. Nevertheless, the Italian facet’s greatest likelihood of the half got here from a speculative effort by Charles De Ketelaere, whose left-footed strike flew harmlessly over the bar.

Because the groups headed into half-time with the rating nonetheless 0-0, it was clear that either side wanted a spark within the second half to interrupt the impasse.

Arsenal, regardless of having extra pictures and touches within the opposition field, lacked a innovative, and Atalanta’s defence remained largely untroubled.

The second half introduced extra pleasure, with Atalanta virtually taking the lead early on.

Within the 51st minute, the hosts had been awarded a penalty after Partey introduced down Ederson contained in the field.

Mateo Retegui stepped as much as take the spot-kick, however his effort was brilliantly saved by David Raya.

The Arsenal goalkeeper then reacted rapidly to disclaim Retegui from the rebound, making a spectacular double save to maintain the scores degree.

Regardless of Raya’s heroics, Arsenal struggled to impose themselves within the attacking third.

Jesus and Partey had been each substituted early within the second half, with Leandro Trossard and Jorginho approaching to inject recent power into the group.

Nevertheless, the modifications did little to shift the momentum, as Atalanta continued to carry agency defensively.

Arsenal’s greatest likelihood of the match got here within the 77th minute when Raheem Sterling, who had changed the ineffective Saka, mixed with Havertz to arrange Martinelli.

The Brazilian discovered himself one-on-one with Carnesecchi however blazed his shot excessive and large, lacking a golden alternative to provide Arsenal the lead.

Atalanta had their very own probabilities to grab victory late on. Within the seventy fifth minute, Juan Cuadrado reduce inside from the left and unleashed a curling effort simply large of Raya’s put up.

Cuadrado was a relentless menace for the Italian facet, however Arsenal’s defence held agency.

As the ultimate whistle went, each groups had been left to replicate on missed alternatives.

Arsenal, who managed only one shot on the right track within the second half, will really feel disenchanted with their lack of creativity in entrance of objective, whereas Atalanta will rue their missed penalty and several other close to misses.

The draw leaves Arsenal with loads of work to do within the new league format, whereas Atalanta will take confidence from their strong defensive show.

For Arteta, it might have been a lot worse, however consideration will in a short time flip to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League on Sunday.



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