Arsenal opened their 2024-25 Champions League campaign with a hard-fought goalless draw against Atalanta.
With the new format, Arsenal have a tough start to the competition and will surely be happy to take a point from Bergamo. Atalanta had the best chance to win the game, with a penalty just after half-time.
But Mateo Retegui’s effort and follow up were well-met by David Raya, who ensured Arsenal left with a point.
Here’s how the players rated at the Gewiss Stadium:
Atalanta
Marco Carnesecchi – 6 – Produced a good save on Saka’s low free-kick in the first half and then reacted quickly to deny Partey on the rebound. And that was all he was needed for.
Berat Djimsiti – 7 Looked relatively untroubled by the Arsenal attack.
Isak Hien – 7 – Didn’t have to do too much defensively, aside from three clearances. But he was at the heart of Atalanta’s passing play. Had more touches than any other Atalanta player and completed the most passes.
Sead Kolasinac – 8 – Up against his former club, this was a performance Kolasinac would have dreamed of having. He was comfortable on the ball and tough to get past. Kolasinac made four tackles and three clearances.
Davide Zappacosta – 7 – Got forward a lot as we all know he likes to and tried to bombard the box with crosses. It was clear that was Atalanta’a gameplan, but he didn’t really have his eye on for the crosses. This was still a good performance, and he was solid defensively.
Marten de Roon – 8 – The former Swansea man led by example in the middle of the pitch. He helped Atalanta control the match and win the midfield battle. Only Hien completed more passes for Atalanta.
Ederson – 8 – Was booked early for a pull on Saka that may have had some worried about him finishing the match. But he didn’t let that impact his game. In the early stages of the second half, Ederson won Atalanta’s penalty, beating Partey and then being brought down. Atalanta grew into the game thanks to his influence.
Matteo Ruggeri – 7 – Defended pretty well against Saka, limiting the Englishman’s impact.
Charles De Ketelaere – 7 – Had the shot at the end of Atalanta’s best move in the first half but it was well wide. Popped up in some good positions and asked questions of the Arsenal defence — without truly testing the goal.
Ademola Lookman – 7 – Was pretty quiet in the first half as Atalanta largely weathered the Arsenal storm. But he kicked into life after the break, growing together with his teammates. Had more luck after switching flanks. Did his bit defensively with four tackles.
Mateo Retegui – 6 – This felt like a traditional centre-forward’s performance. He held the ball up well and was up for the physical battle against Arsenal’s centre-backs. But his game will be remembered for the penalty miss and his failure to convert the follow up. He tried to play mind games with Raya and it didn’t work.
Substitutes:
Juan Cuadrado (for De Ketelaere) – 6 – Went close a couple of times with curling efforts, but he just couldn’t get them on target.
Nicolo Zaniolo (for Retegui 70) – 5 – Didn’t really add too much to the Atalanta attack after coming on.
Raoul Bellanova (for Zappacosta 70) – 6 – Helped keep Atalanta tight at the back.
Mario Pasalic (for Ruggeri 89) – N/A – A late sub.
Lazar Samardzic (for Lookman 89) – N/A – A late sub.
