Is THIS the moment that sparked David Raya’s incredible double save? Arsenal goalkeeper reveals secrets behind penalty stop after earning Gunners a point in Champions League opener in Atalanta
David Raya has praised the influence of Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana after his incredible double save earned the Gunners a point against Atalanta.
After a dull first half, Mikel Arteta’s side were quickly defeated in the second half when referee Clement Turpin awarded the home side a penalty after a foul by Thomas Partey on Ederson.
The replays largely confirmed the French official’s decision on the pitch, but that didn’t stop him from making a lengthy VAR review. Raya used this to his advantage by speaking to the Gunners’ goalkeeping coach.
When play resumed, the Spanish goalkeeper made a fine save from Mateo Retegui before making a brilliant comeback to head the Italian striker’s rebound off the line.
Raya, who made a permanent move to the North London club this summer, said his conversation with Cana played a part in his heroics.
David Raya was seen talking to Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana (left) before saving his penalty
The Spaniard first denied Mateo Retegui from the spot, then reacted quickly to divert the resulting header off the goal line
“It was just a penalty and I was lucky that I went the right way and stopped the ball,” Raya told TNT Sports after the game. “I was unlucky that I gave the rebound right to him, but I was quick enough to get up and stop the rebound.
‘It’s fantastic that we were able to keep a clean sheet and help the team at least get a point.’
On his decision to go to the bench at half-time, he added: ‘I decided to go to the touchline because there was a long wait, so I just spoke to the goalkeeping coach to get more certainty about where I should go.
“He’s helped me a lot in every way, so all credit to him too. He does all the work with everything, so all credit to him too for the rescue.”
Raya’s efforts were celebrated immediately after the incident by his teammates and after the final whistle, and then by his manager Arteta, who described it as ‘probably one of the best saves I’ve seen in my career’.
The two saves ensured the Gunners left Bergamo with a point ahead of their clash with the Europa League champions. Gian Piero Gasperini’s team proved a tough nut to crack for Arsenal, although they did waste a few chances that left them feeling guilty.
“It wasn’t the nicest thing to watch because everyone is becoming man-to-man everywhere,” Arteta told TNT Sports. “We started well and played in the areas we wanted to play, created one or two chances.
The 29-year-old was immediately overwhelmed by his teammates after his stunning double save
Mikel Arteta described the sequence as ‘probably one of the best saves I’ve seen in my career’
‘But after that we gave away a lot of balls and we didn’t get into rhythm or momentum, without conceding anything, apart from that penalty.’
Arteta will be hoping his side can continue their excellent defensive record – which has seen them keep four clean sheets in their first five games – in their next match against Manchester City.
The team travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon for what could be a decisive match in their Premier League campaign.
