pwshub.com

Is THIS the moment that sparked David Raya's incredible double save?

David Raya credited the influence of Arsenal's goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana after his incredible double save earned a point for the Gunners against Atalanta. 

After a dull first period, Mikel Arteta's side faced an early second-half concession when referee Clement Turpin awarded the home side a penalty following a challenge from Thomas Partey on Ederson. 

Replays largely backed up the French official's on-field decision but that did not stop a lengthy VAR review, which Raya used to his advantage by conversing with the Gunners' goalkeeping coach. 

When play resumed, the Spanish stopper smartly saved Mateo Retegui's effort before incredibly bouncing back up to claw the Italian striker's rebound away from the goal line. 

Raya, who made his loan move to the north London club permanent this summer, revealed that his discussion with Cana played a part in his heroics. 

David Raya was seen in conversation with Arsenal's goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana (left) before his penalty save

'It was just a penalty and I was lucky to go the right way and save it,' Raya told TNT Sports post-match. 'I was unlucky to get the rebound straight to him but I was just quick enough to get up and save the rebound. 

'It's fantastic to be able to keep the clean sheet to help the team at least get a point.'

On his decision to go to the bench during the pause in play, he added: 'I took the decision to go to the sideline because there was a long wait so I just spoke with the goalkeeping coach to get more certain about where to go. 

'He helped me a lot in every aspect so all credit to him as well. He does the all the work with everything so credit to him as well for the save.'

Raya's efforts were celebrated by his team-mates immediately after the incident, after the final whistle and then by his manager Arteta, who described it as 'probably one of the best saves I've seen in my career'.

The pair of saves allowed the Gunners to leave Bergamo with a point to show for their duel with the Europa League champions. Gian Piero Gasperini's side proved to be a tough nut for Arsenal to crack, although they did squander a couple of guilt-edge opportunities in the game. 

'It wasn't the nicest to watch because everyone becomes a man-to-man everywhere.' Arteta told TNT Sports. 'We started well and played in the areas we wanted to play, created one or two chances. 

'But after that we gave a lot of balls away very simply and we could not get any rhythm or momentum, without conceding anything apart from that penalty.'

Arteta will hope his team can maintain their outstanding defensive record - which they extended to four clean sheets in their first five games - in their next outing against Manchester City. 

The side travel to the Etihad on Sunday afternoon in what could be a defining clash in the Premier League campaign. 

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Related stories
4 days ago - OLIVER HOLT AT THE TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM: Most said it was an opportunity for Tottenham. With Odegaard and Rice out, Arteta's side would never be more vulnerable.
1 week ago - SAMI MOKBEL: Losing Ngumoha to Liverpool has arrived as a major blow to Chelsea. Those who have watched him view the teenager as a generational talent. But it's about the pathway.
2 weeks ago - This is the first time in 18 years that Novak Djokovic has been knocked out of US Open in third round
1 month ago - KIERAN GILL AT STAMFORD BRIDGE: Chelsea are still looking to offload players as they try to trim their bloated squad, and one Man City sibling in particular is impressing.
3 weeks ago - ROSS HEPPENSTALL AT HILLSBOROUGH: Farke allowed his players to take the applause of the raucous Leeds support at the final whistle before taking centre stage himself on Friday night.
Other stories
1 hour ago - ISAAN KHAN IN BERGAMO: Mikel Arteta hailed David Raya's miraculous double save as 'one of the best I've seen in my career' with Arsenal rescuing an unlikely point against Atalanta.
1 hour ago - With an exquisite piece of footwork in the build-up to the second goal in a 4-0 win at Feyenoord, the Nigeria striker earned the praise of his teammates - and plenty of fans on social media.
1 hour ago - Matches across Europe were criticised for lacking jeopardy with teams knowing they still have another seven games to play, with only 12 of the 36 clubs eliminated at the league phase.
1 hour ago - Emmanuel-Thomas, a 33-year-old striker, had been playing for Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton, but the club had confirmed his contract has now been terminated.
3 hours ago - JOE BERNSTEIN AT THE GEWISS STADIUM: Mikel Arteta's side had to call on David Raya to pull off a fine double save from Mateo Retegui as they were forced to defend for large periods.