“I’ve never coached a player as smart as he was. His movements in the box is just so pleasing to watch”- Atalanta Boss admits he’s honestly blown away by ONE Arsenal player last night whom Ademola Lookman described as being ‘incredible’
“I’ve never coached a player as smart as he was. His movements in the box is just so pleasing to watch”- Atalanta Boss admits he’s honestly blown away by ONE Arsenal player last night whom Ademola Lookman described as being ‘incredible’
Atalanta boss blown away by one Arsenal star as Ademola Lookman calls him ‘incredible’
‘Beautiful’ was the word Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini used to describe Arsenal before Thursday’s Champions League opener.
But, as Tottenham Hotspur found out last weekend and as Manchester City will discover again this, Mikel Arteta’s side can be pretty damn belligerent too when they want to be.
After restricting Spurs to an XG of just 0.7 – William Saliba and matchwinner Gabriel Magalhaes justifying Rio Ferdinand’s ‘best in Europe’ claim – this time it was the turn of another free-wheeling, usually high-scoring side to bang their heads in vain against Arsenal’s brick wall backline.
On the rare occasions that Atalanta did manage to break through, Thomas Partey gifting the Europa League holders a penalty just after half-time, goalkeeper David Raya would come to the rescue and secure yet another clean sheet.
First denying Mateo Retegui from 12 yards, the Spain international then launched himself to his left to keep out the Argentine-born Italy striker for the second time in a matter of seconds.
If his penalty save was a little straightforward – Retegui’s spot-kick was poor – then his remarkable reaction stop on the rebound was anything but.
Penalty hero David Raya saves Arsenal in Atalanta clash
“I feel sorry for the lads, we played a great match,” Retegui told Sky Italia, squandering comfortably the best chances in a game short on goal-mouth activity. “I missed the penalty, but you learn from your mistakes.
“The goalkeeper made a great save but, on the second ball, I made a mistake. I didn’t see him because he got up quickly.”
Raya, who’s form since arriving from Brentford forced Aaron Ramsdale into a fresh start at Southampton, continues to be arguably the most underrated goalkeeper in the game. More heroics like this – on a stage as wide as the Champions League – and the one-time Blackburn Rovers glovesman will finally start to get the credit he deserves.
