Arsenal’s greatest and worst gamers in irritating draw with Atalanta


Arsenal’s journey to Atalanta of their opening Champions League sport of the season promised targets. So, naturally it was a tame goalless draw.

There was not a substantial amount of goal-mouth motion in both half as defences reigned supreme for a lot of the encounter, however David Raya was in the end Arsenal’s hero as he denied Mateo Retegui from the penalty spot after half-time.

Whereas not a disastrous end result for the Gunners – and arguably a half-decent one given Atalanta’s European pedigree – Mikel Arteta may have been left a bit annoyed by his facet’s lack of leading edge within the opposition half.

On a testing night time in Bergamo, right here have been Arsenal‘s greatest and worst performers.

David Raya: 9/10

David Raya, Mateo Retegui

Raya produced a world-class double cease / Timothy Rogers/GettyImages

Throughout a tepid conflict in northern Italy, Raya was the person who stood out for Arsenal. The Euro 2024 winner did not have a lot to do – the truth is, he made simply two stops all night – however he produced one of many nice double saves of the Champions League period.

They got here inside just a few seconds of one another, too. The primary denied Retegui from the penalty spot because the Spaniard flew to his right-hand facet to fulfill the Italy worldwide’s spot kick with a robust palm. However the second was much more spectacular.

Shortly rising to his toes from the turf, Raya flung himself throughout his goal-line to get one other defiant hand to Retegui’s headed rebound, protecting Arsenal’s clear sheet intact.

On an evening of little drama, it was Raya who supplied the one memorable second.

Honourable point out

William Saliba: 8/10

You’ll be able to rely the variety of poor performances of Saliba’s profession on one hand, with the Frenchman such a constant presence on the again. Incomes one other clear sheet, he was glorious up towards the vigorous and indefatigable Retegui.

He gained all of his tackles, made 5 recoveries and 5 clearances, together with an excellent sliding problem inside his personal penalty space to disclaim Ademola Lookman with 5 minutes to play. On the ball, he completed up with a 92% cross accuracy.

Thomas Partey: 3/10

Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey struggled in Bergamo / Francesco Scaccianoce/GettyImages

There was just one Arsenal participant who dropped an actual stinker on the Gewiss Stadium and that was Partey. There to anchor the midfield and hold the Gunners in management, he did the exact opposite together with his sloppy passing.

The Ghanaian completed the sport with a subpar 79% cross accuracy, whereas additionally successful simply considered one of his three tackles. The truth that he was the person who gifted Atalanta their spot kick – fouling Ederson within the space after being crushed far too simply – solely cements his spot as Arsenal’s worst in Bergamo.

Dishonourable point out

Kai Havertz: 5/10

Havertz has established himself as a formidable if unorthodox quantity 9, however the German worldwide was dropped into midfield towards Atalanta. The choice was comprehensible however in the end unsuccessful.

Freely giving probably the most fouls of any participant, successful simply two of his 11 duels and creating zero possibilities within the ultimate third, Havertz ought to return to his now favoured striker function on the weekend.

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