Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Champions League
Josh Lawless
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta risked getting himself in a spot of bother after appearing to mock the referee in the draw with Atalanta.
In the opening fixture of the new Champions League season under the revised format, Arsenal played out a 0-0 with the Europa League winners.
It would have been a defeat for the Gunners had it not been for the heroics of goalkeeper David Raya, who made an incredible a double save after Thomas Partey gave away a penalty.
In the 50th minute, Raya guessed right to deny Mateo Retegui and then managed to sprawl back across to thwart his header on the rebound.
As per usual, Arteta was a lively presence on the touchline and he managed to avoid punishment for something he did in the 62nd minute.
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Arsenal had a foul given against them from a corner and Arteta was not happy with the call.
Arteta appeared to mimic French official Clement Turpin's with a whistle gesture.
Footage circulating on social media also showed Arteta saying 'Like this' twice, indicating he felt Turpin was waiting to blow the whistle and penalise his side.
Although he ran to the fourth official, Arteta managed to avoid any punishment.
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His team weren't quite at their best at the Gewiss Stadium but Arteta was content with the point and singled out Raya for ensuring they did not lose.
"If you can’t win, you have to take the point," Arteta reflected, as per Metro.
"We started well, then we lost control and we were very inconsistent. The game was open but we didn’t suffer defensively, apart from the penalty. David Raya made one of the best saves I’ve seen in my life."
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Arsenal return to action against champions and title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.
Their next Champions League game is against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1.