Arsenal could only get a draw in their first Champions League game this season against Atalanta.
The gunners had to hold on in the second half as they were under pressure in Italy. Atalanta had more shots and created more big chances but failed to win the game.
It took a crucial penalty save from David Raya to keep the scores level, and avoid defeat in Arsenal’s Champions League opener.
After the game, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini said Arsenal played for the draw late in the game:
“I admire Arsenal a great deal and tonight they didn’t do a lot in attack, but confirmed they are solid and difficult to break down. We will emerge stronger from this game, we learned a lot,”
Italian media speak on Atalanta result on Wednesday night
Celtic held the Europa League holders 0-0 in a game where the Serie A side had 22 shots and created 7 big chances.
Atalanta forced 6 saves from Kasper Schmeichel in the Celtic goal. Corriere Della Sera wrote that the draw against the Scottish side was a more difficult result than against Arsenal in September:
“A victory thrown to the wind. And the points, lost like that, weigh even more. The four-leaf clover that had brought good luck to Atalanta in Dublin, this time blindfolded Dea, who did not see the goal despite the 22 total shots, of which 6 were in the mirror. The Scots were little matter, 33% ball possession and only a couple of flashes. So it hurt more than Arsenal when Retegui missed a penalty. Champions League haunted the Italians, still without a goal in Europe after 6 goals in 4 games in a row between the national team and championship.”
Arsenal found it difficult playing in Italy
After the heroics of David Raya in the Arsenal Atalanta game, Declan Rice said the Italian side were difficult to play against:
“They’ve had the same manager for nine years, and they play man-to-man all over the pitch, and it’s not easy. You had to adjust. The main thing is that we defended well. The high press was good, but we can be 10-15 times better with the ball.
“They [Atalanta] have played the same way under this coach for so long, and they are a really tough team to crack. They follow you all over the pitch, it’s hard to adjust.”
Atalanta are just two points behind Arsenal in the new Champions League format.
