Arsenal Goalkeeper David Raya Faces Criticism After Costly Errors Against Luton Town
Aaron Ramsdale appeared to laugh at Arsenal teammate David Raya after the keeper made two costly mistakes against Luton Town on Tuesday night.
Arsenal came from behind to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory against Luton at Kenilworth Road, with Declan Rice scoring the winning goal in the 97th minute. This win extends Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points.
Raya’s Errors Cost Arsenal
While Raya was not at fault for Luton’s first goal, he made a significant error for their second and could have done better to save the third. These mistakes have raised concerns about Raya’s performance.
Raya was signed last summer, surprising many due to Aaron Ramsdale’s impressive form. However, Raya quickly surpassed Ramsdale in the pecking order.
During Amazon’s coverage of the match, viewers noticed Ramsdale laughing at a replay of the third goal. He quickly stopped when he realized the cameras were on him. This incident contrasts with an earlier match where Raya made an outstanding save, prompting Ramsdale to give him a standing ovation.
Mikel Arteta’s Response
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to discuss Raya’s performance, stating that he is happy with the team’s overall performance. When pressed for an opinion on Raya, Arteta deflected and emphasized his satisfaction with the team’s performance.
In his post-match press conference, Arteta acknowledged that the team needs to improve their defensive efforts and address certain issues that led to the goals. However, he emphasized that blaming individuals is not the approach they take.
Criticism from Alan Shearer
Premier League legend Alan Shearer did not hold back in criticizing Raya, highlighting the importance of shot-stopping and collecting crosses. Shearer believes Raya lacks confidence in dealing with crosses, leading to his costly errors.
Ramsdale’s Future
These errors come at a time when Ramsdale is being linked with a move away from Arsenal. Newcastle is rumored to be interested in signing him following Nick Pope’s injury.
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