Final result: Atalanta-Arsenal 0-0
ATALANTA (edited by Patrick Iannarelli)
Carnesecchi 7 – Who knows how the match would have ended without that double save. First he puts his gloves on Saka, then on Partey. Always alert, he raises the shutter on one of the most important nights.
Djimsiti 7 – Fewer mistakes than in the match against Fiorentina, he plays with greater attention without conceding practically anything.
Hien 6.5 – The attention threshold has increased exponentially compared to Sunday’s race: a few too many mistakes risk compromising the race, but errors have decreased significantly.
Kolasinac 6,5 – The usual game of nastiness, in which nothing passes his way. He lets Martinelli escape, luckily the Brazilian kicks high.
Zappacosta 6.5 – Gasp gives him the right lane, he goes deep when he can, he plays with his usual experience. He also helps in defense when needed. From 70′ Bellanova 6 – Containment game, he places himself there and gives assistance to anyone.
From Roon 6 – He struggles in a game full of intensity, but overall he puts in the usual sufficient game. The years pass, but his desire to run is always useful.
Ederson 6.5 – He gets a penalty, he stands up until the end of the match and manages to keep the defense in check gunners. Not bad, he needs to find the right confidence again.
Roger 6 – It’s not a night where there’s space to attack, but it helps a lot in defense: excellent diagonal closing in the second half. From 89′ Pasalic sv
The Ketelaere 6 – He lights up in a flash, but it’s not enough to find the billiard shot. Gasp gives him an hour, just right: there’s another match on Monday night. From 60′ Cuadrado 6.5 – Comes in with a good attitude, comes close to scoring on two occasions. Lively, bites the ankles.
Reach 6 – Against Gabriel the job is complex, you need physicality and nastiness. He misses a penalty, but it doesn’t matter: the boy will make it, just don’t be afraid to take penalties. From 70′ Zaniolo 6 – He has few playable balls, but games like that help him get back into shape.
Lookman 6 – He goes intermittently, he lights up less frequently than in the match against Viola. Slightly better in the second half, but nothing more than when he plays with the handbrake on. From 89′ Samardzic sv
Gian Piero Gasperini 7 – It was a tough race, he knew it too. He takes home a precious point, which can make the difference in the coming months. Better to take what you can.
ARSENAL (edited by Filippo D’Angelo)
Raya 8 – At the start of the second half he makes two extraordinary saves on Retegui, who has a penalty saved and who fails to score on the rebound after another incredible save by the goalkeeper. Without a doubt, the best on the pitch.
White 6 – Perhaps the one who struggled the most in the entire defence but despite a few mistakes he managed to pass, as he contributed to keeping a clean sheet.
Saliba 7.5 – The Arsenal defense is in his hands, or rather on his head as he wins every aerial duel. At the end of the second half he makes another extraordinary intervention on Lookman, launched towards the goal.
Gabriel 7 – The other centre-back also imposed himself well in the face of Atalanta’s attacks, who had to deal with a truly organised English defence.
Timber 6 – He stands out for his precision and lucidity, despite the constant attacks of Atalanta. He does an excellent job especially on De Ketelaere. From 73′ Calafiori 6 – A Champions League debut with personality for the defender, who played an interesting and proactive part.
Rice 6 – He sometimes makes a few small mistakes but still offers a quality performance in midfield.
Party 5 – He gets confused in both the first and second half, where he causes a penalty after a late tackle on Ederson. Arteta understands his difficulties and takes him off to avoid further trouble. From 58′ Jorginho 6.5 – Arsenal need balance in the middle of the pitch and he is able to dictate the tempo and cover in defensive situations well.
Havertz 6 – He is committed in both phases, managing to create some occasions. He is also careful in the tackles and duels with the opponents. A game of great sacrifice.
Saka 5.5 – Not a brilliant performance for the English winger, who has some ideas without managing to worry the Atalanta defense too much. At the beginning of the first half he has a chance from a free kick but Carnesecchi says no to him by making a great save. From 73′ Sterling 6 – A quality piece for the former Chelsea player, who after two minutes even risked providing an assist for Martinelli.
Gabriel Jesus 5.5 – He has a lot of difficulty in duels with the Atalanta defenders and perhaps he also pays for his less than optimal physical condition. From 58′ Trossard 5.5 – Called upon to provide greater fluidity up front, he is sluggish and not precise at least in the offensive phase.
Martinelli 5.5 – Inaccurate and less lucid than usual, in the second half he had the right chance to break the deadlock but he shot high from a few steps away from Carnesecchi.
Mikel Arteta 6 – Arsenal confirmed that they are one of the most compact teams in Europe but perhaps they could have done more in the offensive area. Of course, the excellent performance offered by Atalanta should be taken into account.