Arsenal’s trip to Atalanta in their opening Champions League game of the season promised goals. So, naturally it was a tame goalless draw.
There was not a great deal of goal-mouth action in either half as defences reigned supreme for much of the encounter, but David Raya was ultimately Arsenal’s hero as he denied Mateo Retegui from the penalty spot after half-time.
While not a disastrous result for the Gunners – and arguably a half-decent one given Atalanta’s European pedigree – Mikel Arteta will have been left a little frustrated by his side’s lack of cutting edge in the opposition half.
On a testing night in Bergamo, here were Arsenal‘s best and worst performers.
Arsenal’s best player vs Atalanta
David Raya: 9/10
During a tepid clash in northern Italy, Raya was the man who stood out for Arsenal. The Euro 2024 winner didn’t have much to do – in fact, he made just two stops all evening – but he produced one of the great double saves of the Champions League era.
They came within a few seconds of each other, too. The first denied Retegui from the penalty spot as the Spaniard flew to his right-hand side to meet the Italy international’s spot kick with a strong palm. But the second was even more impressive.
Quickly rising to his feet from the turf, Raya flung himself across his goal-line to get another defiant hand to Retegui’s headed rebound, keeping Arsenal’s clean sheet intact.
On a night of little drama, it was Raya who provided the only memorable moment.
Honourable mention
William Saliba: 8/10
You can count the number of poor performances of Saliba’s career on one hand, with the Frenchman such a consistent presence at the back. Earning another clean sheet, he was excellent up against the lively and indefatigable Retegui.
He won all of his tackles, made five recoveries and five clearances, including a brilliant sliding challenge inside his own penalty area to deny Ademola Lookman with five minutes to play. On the ball, he finished up with a 92% pass accuracy.
Arsenal’s worst player vs Atalanta
Thomas Partey: 3/10
There was only one Arsenal player who dropped a real stinker at the Gewiss Stadium and that was Partey. There to anchor the midfield and keep the Gunners in control, he did the complete opposite with his sloppy passing.
The Ghanaian finished the game with a subpar 79% pass accuracy, while also winning just one of his three tackles. The fact that he was the man who gifted Atalanta their spot kick – fouling Ederson in the area after being beaten far too easily – only cements his spot as Arsenal’s worst in Bergamo.
Dishonourable mention
Kai Havertz: 5/10
Havertz has established himself as an impressive if unorthodox number nine, but the German international was dropped into midfield against Atalanta. The decision was understandable but ultimately unsuccessful.
Giving away the most fouls of any player, winning just two of his 11 duels and creating zero chances in the final third, Havertz should return to his now favoured striker role at the weekend.
