What Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya did before incredible double-save vs Atalanta

David Raya was spotted in deep conversation with the Arsenal goalkeeper coach shortly before pulling off an unbelievable double-save to deny Atalanta from taking the lead. The Gunners kicked off their Champions League campaign with a trip to the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Thursday evening.

Shortly into the second-half, Ederson was brought down by Thomas Partey in the Arsenal penalty area. Without hesitation, the referee pointed to the spot. While the Video Assistant Referee reviewed the on-field decision, Raya was spotted receiving some instructions from Inaki Cana – his goalkeeper coach.

The Atalanta midfielder was later adjudged to have been fouled inside the 18-yard box, and Mateo Retegui stepped up to take the spot-kick. The Gunners shot-stopper denied the 25-year-old striker from converting his penalty, but he parried the ball back into the taker's path.

As Retegui looked to score the rebound, heading the ball goal-bound, Raya sprung to his feet and pulled out an incredible reflex save. The Spain international clawed the ball off the line before Declan Rice ushered it out for a corner.

Raya pulled off a similar save earlier in the season during Arsenal's 2-0 win over Aston Villa. Ollie Watkins forced a spectacular save out of the Spaniard when he – like Retegui – headed the ball towards a seemingly open net.

"It's a crucial moment of the game.... I was there to save Ollie's header," Raya told Sky Sports. "What I remember, it's a shot that comes from outside the box. I'm on the floor, looking over my head, I can't reach it, but then the rebound going towards the pitch, I just see Ollie going in there and I react as quick as possible. I put my hand out, and thankfully nobody was around. It was a fantastic save."

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Speaking to the press at Villa Park after the game, Mikel Arteta admitted he thought Watkins had scored before Raya's sensational save. The Arsenal boss said: "I thought it was a goal.

"I saw the reaction of the defensive line which was none because the ball goes on the crossbar. We're all watching the ball and I went, 'No, please.' Then I see the striker in that position and normally it's a goal. David's reaction is unbelievable."