Arsenal star David Raya admits he was “lucky” to produce his double wonder save after his Champions League heroics.
The Spaniard was named man of the match in the Gunners’ European opener against Italian side Atalanta. He did so after producing two remarkable stops to deny Mateo Retegui from the penalty spot in the 0-0 draw.
The hosts were awarded a spot-kick after Thomas Partey’s foul on Brazilian midfielder Ederson. Raya parried Retegui’s initial effort but the ball fell to the forward and he looked sure to nod into the unguarded net.
But somehow the former Brentford goalkeeper leapt across his line to paw away Retegui’s goalbound header. TV pundit Robbie Savage hailed the stop as “one of the best saves” he had ever seen.
Asked about his match-saving heroics, Raya admitted that he was somewhat fortunate. Speaking to TNT Sport, he said: “It’s just a penalty and I was lucky to go the right way and save it.
“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 and help the team to at least get a point.”
Ahead of Retegui’s penalty, Raya chose to walk over to the sideline while a lengthy VAR check was going on. He was spotted deep in conversation with Arsenal goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña.
Revealing what was said in that chat, he revealed: “I took the decision to go to the sideline because it was a long wait and long wait to decide if it was a pen or not. So I just went to speak with the goalie coach to have more sense of where to go and where not to go and what to do and what not to do.
“He helped me a lot in every aspect. Credit to him, he does all the work for everything and it’s great to have the save with him.”
He added: “I think everyone [has helped his form], of course the players and the staff and the fans, the belief that they have in me. And Inaki, he’s just so confident in me. I just have to deliver for the club, fans and for everybody. I’m in a good way now, I’ve got things to improve as always but I’m in a good place right now.”
Raya now has four clean sheets from five games in all competitions for Arsenal this season. He will be aiming to extend that impressive record in the weekend’s clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.