DAVID RAYA has revealed the secrets behind his penalty heroics in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Atalanta.
The Spanish shot-stopper was the Gunners’ hero last night as he stopped Mateo Retegui from 12 yards before leaping back across his goal to miraculously claw a headed rebound off the line.
Raya, 29, has conceded just one goal so far this season which has helped Mikel Arteta’s side to an unbeaten start.
Their away trip to Europa League champions Atalanta looked to be a tricky test on paper, and so it proved, with Gian Piero Gasperini’s side having more possession and shots than Arsenal.
However, Raya was there to thwart the Italian side’s attempts, and he has now revealed the secret behind his latest heroics.
During the delay before it was taken, the 29-year-old went to speak with goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, whom he had also previously worked with at Brentford.
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Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, he said: “I made the decision to go to the sideline during the VAR consultation because there was a long wait.
“So I just wanted to speak to the goalkeeper coach to have more of a sense of which way I should go, what to do and what not to do.
“Credit to him because he helps me a lot in every aspect. He does all the work with everything and he also deserves credit for the save.”
Raya saw praise heaped on him by boss Arteta, who said the save was “probably one of the best saves I have seen in my career”.
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He also drew praise from Gasperini, who labelled him a “cat”.
It has been some journey for Raya, who 10 years ago today lost 3-0 on his National League debut playing for Southport.
He will doubtless be hoping to add to his list of clean sheets with a shutout against title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.
City leads Arsenal by two points, with the match at the Etihad potentially pivotal in the season’s title charge for both.
Arsenal ratings vs Atalanta as Raya saves uninspiring Gunners in Italy
ARSENAL had some David Raya heroics to thank for a points in the Champions League opener.
Raya’s stunning double save just after the break spared Thomas Partey’s blushes after the midfielder gave away a penalty.
And that was the closest either side came to a goal in the 0-0 draw.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Mikel Arteta’s men…
David Raya – 9
Produced a simply stunning double save to stop Mateo Retegui’s penalty and then flung himself across to push away the follow-up rebound header – even better than his effort to deny Ollie Watkins.
Robbie Savage labelled it the “best save I’ve ever seen” while Gunners fans lauded their Spanish hero, who has conceded just once in five games so far this term.
Ben White – 7
Given the daunting task of trying to keep Ademola Lookman quiet inside a rocking Gewiss Stadium but completed the job with his classic relaxed, languid demeanour.
William Saliba – 8
One of the world’s top centre-backs but did not need to be anywhere near his best – solid enough when called upon, including excellent late sliding tackle in own box.
Retegui showed great movement but Saliba will have far sterner tests this season, none more so than up against Erling Haaland on Sunday.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Like his partner Saliba, Gabriel helped ensure the Arsenal defence came out on top.
Starting to run out of words to say about this pair who just concede so few chances.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Adds an extra dimension to this Arsenal side – showing just how much he was missed when sidelined last season.
Arguably had the easiest evening’s work of the four defenders.
Thomas Partey – 4
Martin Keown described the Gunners’ retraction en masse during the transition as Arteta putting up his own “Thames Barrier”.
But Partey nearly allowed the floodgates to open by giving away the penalty three minutes into the second half – only to be rescued by Raya’s heroics.
Declan Rice – 6
Top awareness to sniff out the Atalanta danger and help control midfield.
But squandered a great chance to drive Arsenal forward when he won the ball on the halfway line and could have launched a potent counter.
Kai Havertz – 6
With Jesus starting up front, Havertz dropped into a deeper role – but he is perfectly comfortable there, too, and can carry the ball forwards.
Little to show for his evening, though, but continued to put a shift in defensively until the final whistle.
Buakyo Saka – 6
Drew the foul from Ederson who collected an early yellow and from the resulting free-kick almost squeezed a low effort into bottom corner but for top save.
Given a breather for final 20 minutes with an eye on Sunday.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Captain on the night was his typical busy self early on getting himself around but virtually all of his involvement was outside the Atalanta penalty area.
Withdrawn before the hour mark.
Gabriel Martinelli – 4
Struggled to get in the game and then when he did get in, squandered a really good chance when he blazed over.
Definitely not hitting top form so far this season and may well find himself among the subs against Manchester City.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
