David Raya pulls off 'one of best saves ever' as Arsenal keeper stuns pundits vs Atalanta
David Raya produced heroics just when Arsenal needed him as he pulled out a stunning save to deny Atalanta star Mateo Retegui during Arsenal's Champions League clash with the Italian side
by Daniel Orme · The MirrorArsenal star David Raya produced what was billed as 'one of best saves ever' to deny Atalanta 's Mateo Retegui from the penalty spot.
The Italian side were awarded a penalty during the second-half of their Champions League clash with the Gunners. Thomas Partey was adjudged to have brought down Brazilian midfielder Ederson as he attempted to charge into the box.
VAR agreed with the decision, giving Atalanta the perfect opportunity to open the scoring from the spot. Retegui claimed responsibilty but saw Raya guess right and parry his first effort.
It looked as though the Italian international was set to nod in the rebound as the ball bounced back to him but Raya somehow scampered across his line to hook away the ball.
Speaking on commentary, Robbie Savage said: "I have got to say that is one of the best saves I have ever seen, the second one. That is unbelievable! How he gets up so quickly.. Wow! One of the best saves I have ever seen!"
Speaking later, he added: "He [Retegui] had to generate all of the power but when you look at the replay, he headed it back to where Raya was. It's an unbelievable save and the reaction was incredible."
Ex-Arsenal star Martin Keown was also left in awe. He said: " David Raya did well to stay patient and wait for Mateo Retegui, who took forever to take the kick, waiting for the goalkeeper to go down.
"It was like a game of who blinks first? A superb initial save then gets on his feet to make the second one. If Arsenal get anything out of this game and that will be seen as a big turning point."
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Ex-Everton star and now pundit Leon Osman was left equally as impressed by the stop. He said: "Wow. The first save is outstanding, low to his right. Once it has been saved the ball bounces to his left and David Raya gets up scrambling across. Retegui thinks he has a tap in!"
Raya's save is just the latest in a series of stunning stops that he has produced since becoming an Arsenal player. He left fans baffled as he denied Ollie Watkins' goalbound header during Arsenal's win against Aston Villa before the international break.
That stop saw Raya win the Premier League's Save of the Month award for August. Despite that, Raya does not believe that it was his best ever save. He said: "Everyone is a hero because we work together. It's not just me saving the ball. It was a crucial moment in the game where it was 0-0 and they had chances and I was there to save Ollie's header.
"I think of what I remember, it's a shot from outside the box. I'm on the floor so I try to get up and I can't reach it. I just see Ollie going in there so I react as quickly as possible I put my hand there and there's no one there to get the ball.
"It's just a repetition of things. You do drills and have to save one ball and get up to save another. This time it paid off. This is a reaction one, I don't think it's my best save. I try to help the team as much as possible to win games."
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