It has become routine now but Arsenal have made an impressive start to the season, yet again! Mikel Arteta’s side have set a basic standard of what to expect from them and the Gunners have lived true to that in these initial weeks.
Despite unfortunate injuries to a number of key players like Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko and new summer arrival Mikel Merino also picking up a freak injury, Arsenal have continued in their own merry ways.
This weekend, the Gunners take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a marquee game in the Premier League where the master and the protege look to outwit one another in the absence of the best playmakers in their team.
Last night, Arsenal took Atalanta on in the opening round of the revamped Champions League and the game ended in a 0-0 draw. The Serie A side gave a good account of themselves but the Gunners managed to hold the fort, thanks to one hero.
Mikel Arteta singles out David Raya for praise
David Raya was unbelievable against Atalanta, keeping in line with his performances since the beginning of the season. He has been impeccable for club and country and looks to have taken his game to a new level.
Speaking after the game as quoted by BBC, manager Mikel Arteta revealed that he was very impressed with what Raya did against the Italian side. Here is what he had to say:
“It’s probably one of the best saves I have seen in my career. He was unbelievable”
The Spanish tactician then went on to acknowledge his compatriot’s impressive start to the campaign. He continued:
“Last year he was already very important but this season he has started exceptional. Today he kept us in the game, that’s the reality.”
What Raya did to save that penalty was incredible. He first dived right to save the ball but unfortunately for him, the ball fell right back into the striker’s path. The Spaniard then sprung up like a cat and dived to his left to stop the rebound.
The 29-year-old shot-stopper seems to be on top of his game and is genuinely looking like one of the best in the world in his position. His distribution is on a different level too and it remains to be seen how he continues his form in the coming weeks and months.
