It is hard to believe that a match between Atalanta and Arsenal, two eminently offensive teams, will end 0-0. But this time, although they offered an interesting strategic pulse in their debut in the new Champions League, they managed to nullify their attacking power without giving up their principles. The purpose David Raya was the hero of the ‘gunner’ tie by stopping a penalty from Mateo Retegui with a wonderful double stop.
The match produced a balanced tactical duel between Gian Piero Gasperini and Mikel Arteta, two technicians who want their team to have the ball.
Saka forced Carnesecchi to show off
Arsenal don’t seem to miss out on the injured Martin Odegaard right away. He came out with a lot of personality and gave a great sense of mastery of the game, although he only converted his possession on one occasion, which was also a set piece, when a low free-kick was well placed. position. Bukayo Saka after quarter of an hour he insisted Marco Carnesecchi to stretch as far as possible to place a saving hand beside the pole.
A very dedicated Arsenal not only had the ball but when they lost it they did not give transitions to an Atalanta who were tied and had little possibility of developing their characteristic offensive game.
Atalanta took possession
But as the minutes passed Gasperini He adjusted his technique and, supported by the pressure of the fighter Mateo Retegui At the top, La Dea gradually gained control of the ball, although Arsenal only gave them one scoring chance after just half an hour of play.
It is certain Retegui which unloaded in the heel area towards Charles De Ketelaere, cHis shot widened.
Raya stopped Retegui twice
Just after the break the game can change when Ederson go to the left Thomas Partywhich knocked him down upon entering the place. Retegui took the responsibility of taking the punishment but found himself in a huge David Raya.
The Spanish international goalkeeper, who was enjoying a good moment of form, guessed his intention for the first time and, after the rebound, made a second great save by taking Retegui’s own header on the same goal line (52′).
SA Arteta He didn’t like what he saw and ordered a double change. He gave an entry Leandro Trossard and Jorginho instead Gabriel Jesus, the great novelty in the lineup with Declan Rice after serving his suspension on Sunday against Tottenham, and Thomas Party in an attempt to regain possession of the ball.
Cuadrado came in and stroked the goal
He did not succeed because Atalanta did not charge the missed penalty. Gasperini He responded by putting Juan Cuadrado through From Ketelaere and the Colombian, at the age of 36, was dangerous with two wonderful shots from the edge of the area that almost missed the goal.
Arsenal were not the dominant team in the second half but Arteta This gave him the consistency to compete in difficult situations. With a quarter of an hour left, they entered Riccardo Calafiori and Raheem Sterlingwho in his first intervention filtered a good pass that was just left Gabriel Martinellibut his shot rose in what was the Gunners’ second and, without a doubt, the best chance of the whole game.
match lineup
29
77
22
23
4
19
15
13
32
17
11
22
4
12
5
2
6
29
41
9
7
11
Gewiss Stadium
David Raya22
69′
Ben White4
88′
Jurrien Timber12
72′
Thomas Party5
57′
William Saliba2
Gabriel Magalhães6
Kai Havertz29
11′
Declan Rice41
69′
Gabriel Jesus9
57′
59′
Bukayo Saka7
72′
88′
Gabriel Martinelli11
Replacements
Net32
Jack Porter92
Jakub Kiwior15
69′
Riccardo Calafiori33
72′
Jorginho20
57′
59′
Jimmy Gower44
88′
Myles Lewis-Skelly49
69′
Ethan Nwaneri53
88′
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand56
Leandro Trossard19
57′
Raheem Sterling30
72′
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji37
coach
Gian Piero Gasperini
Mikel Arteta
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
