David Raya penalty heroics help Arsenal take a point from Atalanta in Champions League opener

Arsenal opened their 2024-25 Champions League campaign with a hard-fought goalless draw against Atalanta.

With the new format, Arsenal have a tough start to the competition and will surely be happy to take a point from Bergamo. Atalanta had the best chance to win the game, with a penalty just after half-time.

But Mateo Retegui’s effort and follow up were well-met by David Raya, who ensured Arsenal left with a point.

Here’s how the players rated at the Gewiss Stadium:

Atalanta

Marco Carnesecchi – 6 – Produced a good save on Saka’s low free-kick in the first half and then reacted quickly to deny Partey on the rebound. And that was all he was needed for.

Berat Djimsiti – 7 Looked relatively untroubled by the Arsenal attack.

Isak Hien – 7 – Didn’t have to do too much defensively, aside from three clearances. But he was at the heart of Atalanta’s passing play. Had more touches than any other Atalanta player and completed the most passes.

Sead Kolasinac – 8 – Up against his former club, this was a performance Kolasinac would have dreamed of having. He was comfortable on the ball and tough to get past. Kolasinac made four tackles and three clearances.

Davide Zappacosta – 7 – Got forward a lot as we all know he likes to and tried to bombard the box with crosses. It was clear that was Atalanta’a gameplan, but he didn’t really have his eye on for the crosses. This was still a good performance, and he was solid defensively.

Marten de Roon – 8 – The former Swansea man led by example in the middle of the pitch. He helped Atalanta control the match and win the midfield battle. Only Hien completed more passes for Atalanta.

Ederson – 8 – Was booked early for a pull on Saka that may have had some worried about him finishing the match. But he didn’t let that impact his game. In the early stages of the second half, Ederson won Atalanta’s penalty, beating Partey and then being brought down. Atalanta grew into the game thanks to his influence.

Matteo Ruggeri – 7 – Defended pretty well against Saka, limiting the Englishman’s impact.

Charles De Ketelaere – 7 – Had the shot at the end of Atalanta’s best move in the first half but it was well wide. Popped up in some good positions and asked questions of the Arsenal defence — without truly testing the goal.

Ademola Lookman – 7 – Was pretty quiet in the first half as Atalanta largely weathered the Arsenal storm. But he kicked into life after the break, growing together with his teammates. Had more luck after switching flanks. Did his bit defensively with four tackles.

Mateo Retegui – 6 – This felt like a traditional centre-forward’s performance. He held the ball up well and was up for the physical battle against Arsenal’s centre-backs. But his game will be remembered for the penalty miss and his failure to convert the follow up. He tried to play mind games with Raya and it didn’t work.

Substitutes:

Juan Cuadrado (for De Ketelaere) – 6 – Went close a couple of times with curling efforts, but he just couldn’t get them on target.

Nicolo Zaniolo (for Retegui 70) – 5 – Didn’t really add too much to the Atalanta attack after coming on.

Raoul Bellanova (for Zappacosta 70) – 6 – Helped keep Atalanta tight at the back.

Mario Pasalic (for Ruggeri 89) – N/A – A late sub.

Lazar Samardzic (for Lookman 89) – N/A – A late sub.

Arsenal

David Raya – 9 – Had nothing to do in the first half but he showed by he’s so valued shortly after the break. Raya did well to save Retegui’s penalty but should not have got anywhere near the rebound. He did, clawing the effort off the line. A simply wonderful double save. He’s just the fourth Arsenal goalkeeper to save a penalty in the Champions League, joining Richard Wright, Jens Lehmann and Lukasz Fabianski.

Ben White – 7 – Was largely untroubled as Atalanta favoured the other flank for the attacking. Got forward a few times with underlapping runs, and could have tested the Atalanta defence a bit more.

William Saliba – 8 – Was in a good battle with Retegui for the first half but didn’t really have to step up defensively. Looked strong in the second half and pulled off a brilliant tackle late on when Lookman seemed set to shoot. Had more clearances than any other player and made the joint-most tackles for Arsenal (two).

Gabriel – 7 – Looked solid alongside Saliba with four clearances.

Jurrien Timber – 7 – When Arsenal had the ball he was tucking into a more central role and it worked for the Gunners. Considering he’s still coming back from injury, Timber looks great.

Kai Havertz – 7 – The more advanced of the midfield trio, Havertz moved further forward to press high up the pitch, sometimes advancing past Jesus. His long-term future won’t be in midfield but this was a real selfless performance from the German.

Thomas Partey – 5 – When Atalanta had the ball, Partey was never too far away from Lookman, keeping an eye on the Nigerian. He looked comfortable but had a moment to forget shortly after the break. Partey allowed Ederson to get past him and then brought the midfielder down in the box. He was definitely targeted more in the second half as Arsenal’s weak point.

Declan Rice – 6 – Moved around the pitch a lot in the first half, sometimes as a flying winger — which we’ve grown accustomed to see in his new role. But Arsenal do miss his presence just in front of the defence.

Bukayo Saka – 5 – Didn’t get on the ball too much in the first half as Atalanta restricted his flank. But he tested the goalkeeper with a good low free-kick. He wasn’t fully fit going into the game, and it did show.

Gabriel Jesus – 6 – Produced neat footwork a few times and was everywhere in the first half. Considering he’s only just returning from injury, this was a good run out for the Brazilian.

Gabriel Martinelli – 6 – Disciplined defensively but didn’t really add much going forward. Missed Arsenal’s chance in the second half, not troubling the goalkeeper at all.

Substitutes:

Leandro Trossard (for Jesus 58) – 7 – His introduction breathed new life into the Arsenal attack, and he linked up well with his teammates.

Jorginho (for Partey 58) – 7 – Brought some form of control to Arsenal that they missed in the first half.

Raheem Sterling (for Saka 73) – 6 – Didn’t have a chance to really get involved after coming on, but did create one chance.

Riccardo Calafiori (for Timber 73) – 7 – Despite coming on for Timber he seemed to be everywhere but left-back. Calafiori spent a lot more time in the middle of the pitch

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