Arsenal were kept to a 0-0 draw against Atalanta in their UEFA Champions League opener at Gewiss Stadium, in what was a game of few chances.
The Gunners started stronger in the opening fifteen minutes, but after that, neither team could get a foothold. Atalanta were awarded a penalty at the start of the second half, but David Raya made two world-class saves to deny Mateo Retegui in what would be the biggest opportunity of the game.
Coming off the back of a good win at the weekend against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Mikel Arteta and his men were offered a fantastic chance to push on and prepare for a big game on the weekend against Manchester City. Atalanta, however, wanted to spoil this and get their own season up and running after a poor start in Serie A.
As it happened
In the game’s opening stages, the Gunners imposed themselves well, beating Atalanta’s press, keeping possession and trying to create chances. In the 13th minute, Bukayo Saka had a great opportunity from a free-kick, but Marco Carnesecchi made an impressive save to keep the score level.
At the half-hour mark, Arsenal struggled to create any clear-cut chances, with Atalanta’s defence keeping the visitors’ attack quiet. Thursday’s hosts then started to keep possession and used their wing-backs to create chances, utilising their width to hurt Mikel Arteta’s defence.
Both sides saw the first half out without putting any pressure on the opposite goalkeeper, in a game with very few chances of note.
However, at the start of the second half, Atalanta were awarded a penalty after Thomas Partey tripped Éderson in the Gunners’ box. Mateo Retegui stepped up to take it, but David Raya made two excellent saves to deny the Italian and keep the game goalless.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Italian side kept on pushing for the opening goal but struggled to create any big opportunities until substitute Juan Cuadrado had two great chances in the space of five minutes, though the ex-Chelsea player couldn’t trouble Raya.
Then, immediately after these chances, Gabriel Martinelli had Arsenal’s best chance of the second half but couldn’t keep his shot down as it went over the bar.
Gian Piero Gasperini and his players continued to look for the opening goal, but Arsenal’s defence was too strong with both teams settling for a point on matchday one of the new-look 2024/25 Champions League.
The lineups
ATA: Carnesecchi; Zappacosta, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Ruggeri; De Roon, Éderson; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
ARS: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
