Raya heroics save Arsenal in Champions League opener at Atalanta

Bergamo, Italy: David Raya s goalkeeping heroics ensured that Arsenal were only held to a goalless draw at Atalanta on Thursday in a tough start to th...

Bergamo, Italy: David Raya's goalkeeping heroics ensured that Arsenal were only held to a goalless draw at Atalanta on Thursday in a tough start to their campaign in the revamped Champions League.

Mikel Arteta's side left Bergamo with a point after a low-key performance in a red-hot atmosphere at the refurbished Gewiss Stadium.

The Premier League side would likely have been defeated had goalkeeper Raya not pulled off an astonishing double save to stop Mateo Retegui from netting first from the penalty spot and then on the rebound early in the second half.

Missing Martin Odegaard to a serious ankle injury suffered on international duty with Norway, Arsenal were largely solid but lacked imagination going forward and after having an early spell of dominance never looked like winning.

On Sunday Arsenal head to league title rivals Manchester City, where they will need a brighter display than they one they put in on Thursday in northern Italy.