David Raya elevates himself to one of world's best after latest sensational Arsenal stop

David Raya is creating his own save of the season competition.

The Arsenal keeper pulled off one of the greatest double saves you will ever see in the Champions League in the Stadio di Bergamo. We all thought Raya’s sensational stop to deny Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa last month would take some beating as that looked guaranteed to be save of the season.

And yet Raya arguably bettered it to deny Mateo Retegui, first to stop the Atalanta striker’s penalty with a brilliant double-handed save. Raya then somehow got up again to produce an incredible left handed stop to keep out Retegui’s follow-up header from just ten yards.

The second save was actually mind blowing as it showed remarkable agility, reflexes and determination to stop the ball going in. That deserves to go down among the Arsenal greats like David Seaman’s one-handed stop against Sheffield United at Old Trafford. Raya’s was maybe even better.

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And it also elevates Raya into Europe’s elite because it is hard to think of a better keeper in the world right now. Raya might even be ahead of Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez based on form.

Raya won the Premier League’s Golden Glove last season for conceding fewest goals and has only been beaten once this season. It is remarkable to think that this time last year the debate was raging about whether Mikel Arteta had got it wrong by replacing Aaron Ramsdale for Raya.

As good as Ramsdale was for Arsenal, there can surely be no argument now because Raya was the hero to earn them a point from a pretty frustrating night. Raya will probably need to produce more heroics at Manchester City on Sunday but, on this form, he just looks unbeatable.

It was also the saving grace for Arsenal who were, in truth, flat and short on ideas in Bergamo which hardly bodes well for the next few weeks when they will have to cope without Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal did not look solid in defence and only conceded the penalty because of Thomas Partey’s clumsy challenge on Ederson. Referee Clement Turpin had no hesitation, it underwent a lengthy VAR check but it was the right decision.

Partey looked sluggish and was substituted. Arsenal boss Arteta tried a new-look line-up as he put Gabriel Jesus up front and Kai Havertz dropped deeper. But they did not really click and Jesus was substituted.

There was a Champions League debut as a substitute for Raheem Sterling who became the first player in the competition’s history to play for FOUR different clubs with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Sterling did set up a chance for Gabriel Martinelli who blazed over which was in keeping with Arsenal’s night.

It was Bukayo Saka who actually went closest for Arsenal as his low 13th minute free kick produced a sensational save from Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi who then made a brave block from Partey on the follow-up.

Arsenal just could not find another gear. It was hardly a good advert for the new-look Champions League because it was a pretty forgettable contest lacking in quality.

Too many mistakes and not enough chances. The atmosphere in Atalanta’s superb new stadium helped make it a better night.

But in these early Champions League games, a few teams have played safe because they know they have enough time and opportunities to get through. That actually means the first match week has lacked some drama and excitement.

And for Arteta, the Arsenal manager has just been given one less day to prepare for Sunday’s title crunch at the Etihad than title rivals City. But he will also know they will have to play better than this to get a result - unless Raya produces more heroics.

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