Arsenal started their new Champions League journey with a draw with Italian side Atalanta. Both the teams created lots of chances in the match. However, the match finished with a draw as both times shared their points. It was a defensive masterclass by Arsenal defenders and their goalkeeper David Raya who showed one of their best performances in the Champions League. Arsenal defender Gabriel, William Saliba, and David Raya all gave their best in the match.
Atalanta are back in the Champions League after three years of absence from the competitions. The Italian side won the UEFA Europa League in the last season. Atalanta was desperate to make their presence in the new Champions League as the Italian side came very close to take the lead in the match and beating Arsenal in the match. However, it is the defensive masterclass by Arsenal’s defense line and their goalkeeper David Raya who stopped the Atalanta attackers from taking the lead in the match.
Arsenal fans were delighted with the performance of their center defender William Saliba and Gabriel. Both the center back had an outstanding season last time around both across all competitions. This year is also no different for them as both the defenders started the season with brilliant performances once again. William Saliba was the only Arsenal player who played all 38 matches in the Premier League and that clearly indicates the quality he has.
Defensive masterclass by Arsenal defenders and David Raya
Arsenal’s current goalkeeper David Raya had an outstanding match against Atalanta. Just after the start of the second half, Atalanta had a great chance to take the lead in the match when they were rewarded with a penalty. Mateo Retgui of Atalanta stepped up for the Penalty but the Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made two brilliant saves to deny Atalanta to take the lead in the match. Raya joined Arsenal permanently this summer after spending the last season on loan from Brentford. The Spanish international managed to keep three clean sheets in the last five Premier League matches and conceded only three goals.
William Saliba and Gabriel both the center defenders of Arsenal had a great game. Saliba’s performance and decision-making under pressure were something to notice. He can stay calm even during the most stressful moments. Atalanta love to play between the lines at speed, but that approach was never going to unsettle Saliba’s sense of spatial awareness and impeccable timing. Most importantly, if Gabriel went for the clearance of the lofted ball or long ball, Saliba positioned himself well to support Gabriel. Both the center back coordinate brilliantly making it very difficult for the Atalanta attacker to go through the Arsenal defence. So, overall it was a defensive masterclass from the Arsenal defence to earn a goalless draw at Atalanta in their opening Champions League fixtures.
The Gunners next Champions League fixtures
A big fixture is waiting in the Champions League for Arsenal as the Gunners will meet PSG in the next Champions League match at Emirates. PSG had a very narrow win in their first Champions League fixtures over Spanish side Girona. PSG has not lost a single match this season across all competitions and scored 18 goals in the last seven matches. The last time these two sides met in the Champions League was back in 2018, and the Gunners beat the French side 5-1.
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