Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has revealed where he believes his “incredible” double save against Atalanta ranks in his career so far.
The Gunners were indebted to the Spaniard for preserving a hard-earned point in their opening game of the new-look Champions League in Bergamo on Thursday night, a goalless draw with the current Europa League holders.
Raya first dived low to his right to parry Mateo Retegui’s penalty after a foul by Thomas Partey on Ederson early in the second half, before quickly getting back to his feet and scrambling across the line to make a sublime low stop to his left to ensure the Italy forward did not convert a header on the rebound.
It was a double save that drew strong praise from fans and pundits alike, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta describing the two stops as among the best he had ever seen in his career.
And while Raya - who also made headlines with a stunning denial of Ollie Watkins during Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa last month - does not believe they were the greatest saves he has made as a professional so far, he certainly ranks them very highly himself.
“This save was just incredible,” he said. “Maybe not the best one of my career but for sure in the top three.”
Raya also revealed the role played by Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, with whom he was spotted deep in conversation on the sideline at the Gewiss Stadium while a lengthy VAR check was ongoing ahead of the penalty.
“I went to speak to the goalie coach to get a better sense of what to do and what not to do,” Raya said. “He helped me a lot in every aspect, so credit to him as well.
“He does all the work with everything. I was lucky I went the right way to save it.
“I was unlucky the rebound fell to him but I was quick enough to get up and save the rebound. It’s fantastic to save it and for the team to get a point.
“I think everyone [has helped his form], of course the players and the staff and the fans, the belief that they have in me.
“And Inaki, he’s just so confident in me. I just have to deliver for the club, fans and for everybody. I’m in a good way now, I’ve got things to improve as always but I’m in a good place right now.”
Praising Raya, a permanent £27million summer signing by Arsenal after his successful season-long loan spell from Brentford last term, on Thursday night, Arteta said: “We needed two of the best saves that I’ve seen in my career from David to stay in the game.
“The work with the goalkeeping coach, Inaki, he knew [which way to go] and they did the job and the execution of that first one was unbelievable. But the second one, I thought the ball was in so it was really similar to the Villa one.
“We signed him when he was already exceptional, but then you have to do it at this level and especially in the context of when he came in, it wasn’t easy at all, but he’s showing the kind of person he is and his role as a leader in the team. That’s very important.”
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini said of Raya’s heroics: “He's a cat. The first save is good but the rebound is unbelievable. The goalkeeper has been crucial.”
