The Gunners face a quick turnaround in matches after they got their Champions League campaign under way at Atalanta on Thursday night.
Arsenal held out for a 0-0 draw and, while it wasn’t the strongest attacking performance by the Gunners, they were defensively solid.
The North Londoners had David Raya to thank for a hugely impressive double save he made at the start of the second half.
Arsenal conceded a penalty in the 48th minute as Thomas Partey clipped Ederson in the Gunners box.
Mateo Retegui took to the penalty spot and fired to his left, only for Raya to guess right and stop the ball.
Then, the Atalanta ace tried to head home on the rebound with the goal gaping, but the Arsenal stopper leapt to his left and palmed the ball away.
Raya’s efforts led to widespread praise by fans, neutrals and pundits, including Robbie Savage, who said it was one of the best saves he had ever seen.
Now, Gary Lineker has given his thoughts on the Arsenal man’s saves against La Dea in the latest episode of The Rest is Football.
Lineker has praised Raya’s “extraordinarily quick” reactions, noting he has pulled off similar saves over the course of the season.
“It was the second save that was more remarkable probably than the penalty save itself,” said Lineker.
“I mean, he has done two of those I think three times now this season we have seen him make a save and then get or get up and make another save.
“I mean, crikey, his reactions are extraordinarily quick.”
Raya lifts lid on brilliant penalty save
Raya pulled off a similar double save against Aston Villa and, just like then, he sought to play down his efforts against Atalanta.
“It’s just a penalty, I was lucky to go the right way,” he told TNT Sports, as transcribed by Sky Sports News.
“I was unlucky to give the rebound straight to him but I was lucky to get up and save it. It’s great to keep the clean sheet and help the team get a point.
“The decision to go to the sideline was because it was a long time to decide if it was a pen or not.
“I went to the goalkeeper coach and asked where to go and where not to go, what to do and what not to do. He helps me with everything and helped me make the save.”
What next for Arsenal?
Arsenal have got through the Atalanta match unscathed and with a point ahead of a huge game in the Premier League title race.
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