David Raya reveals what Arsenal goalkeeper coach told him right before ‘lucky’ Atalanta penalty save
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya produced a moment of magic to help his side secure a point in their opening Champions League game away at Atalanta.
The Europa League winners proved to be tough opponents as expected, and Arsenal found themselves struggling to make an impact in the final third.
Thomas Partey then gave a penalty away after a clumsy challenge, and falling behind could have been disastrous. However, Raya then spared his blushes.
The Spaniard went over to talk to goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana before the penalty, then produced a magnificent save to stop Mateo Retegui’s initial effort.
The goalkeeper then somehow reacted quickly to block Retegui’s second effort from the rebound, and he kept the ball out en route to a clean sheet, with Arsenal fans labelling Raya as the best goalkeeper in the world as a result.
Raya has now revealed what Cana told him just before the penalty, and admitted that he was “lucky” in some aspects of the remarkable double save.
David Raya admits he was lucky to make double penalty save in Champions League draw
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Raya admitted that he was lucky to make the double save from the Retegui penalty.
“It’s just a penalty and I was lucky to go the right way and save it,” he stated.
“I was lucky to not give the rebound straight to him, but I was just quick enough to get up and and save the rebound, so it was fantastic to be able to keep the clean sheet and to help the team to at least get a point.”
