Arsenal’s opening Champions League match against Atalanta ended in a goalless draw, with the Gunners delivering a rather disappointing and uninspired performance. Despite being held to a stalemate in Bergamo, Arsenal struggled to create significant chances throughout the encounter. One of their few notable opportunities came when Bukayo Saka struck a low free-kick in the first half, but it didn’t yield a goal. Gabriel Martinelli also missed a promising chance at the near post in the second half, squandering what could have been a match-defining moment. Beyond these instances, Mikel Arteta’s side failed to pose much of an attacking threat.
In contrast, Atalanta may feel disappointed that they didn’t walk away with all three points. Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya, was the standout performer, producing a remarkable double save to deny Mateo Retegui from the penalty spot and again on the rebound. Raya’s heroics were crucial in ensuring that Arsenal left Italy with a point, as his efforts prevented what seemed like a certain goal.
This match highlighted several concerning issues for Arsenal, reflecting their current struggles on the pitch. While Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions, were always going to be a tough opponent, Arsenal would have expected more, especially given that the Italian side had already lost two of their opening four Serie A games and currently sit ninth in the league.
One of the glaring problems was Thomas Partey’s performance in midfield. He made multiple errors throughout the game, giving away possession too easily. His reckless challenge on Ederson resulted in Atalanta being awarded a penalty, nearly costing Arsenal the match, though Raya’s save spared him from further scrutiny.
Similarly, Gabriel Martinelli failed to make an impact from the left wing. He lacked the necessary cutting edge in attack and wasted Arsenal’s best chance of the match. His below-par performance could lead to Mikel Arteta considering other options like Raheem Sterling or Leandro Trossard in future games.
Gabriel Jesus, leading the line as the central striker, was also ineffective, being substituted before the hour mark. His underwhelming display raises questions about his suitability in the role, with some suggesting Kai Havertz might be a better alternative for that position.
Arteta has been trying various midfield combinations to cope with the absence of Martin Odegaard, who is out due to injury. Against Tottenham, he fielded Jorginho and Partey together, but in Bergamo, Havertz was given a central role. Despite some positional interchanges between Havertz and Jesus, the tactic didn’t produce the desired attacking fluidity.
One option Arteta might consider is giving 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri a chance in the absence of Odegaard. Though Nwaneri remained on the bench against Atalanta, his creativity might provide a solution to Arsenal’s current struggles in attack, especially with a tough match against Manchester City on the horizon.
David Raya’s excellent performance was the only real positive for Arsenal. His sensational double save from Retegui’s penalty and rebound header was described by Robbie Savage as one of the best saves he had ever seen. While Arsenal came away with a point, the match exposed several areas that require improvement before they face Manchester City in their upcoming Premier League clash.
