It didn’t take Arsenal fans long to share their concern about one player during the Gunners’ clash with Newcastle.
In the final home game of the season, Arsenal hosted Newcastle as the race for second place heats up.
Mikel Arteta hasn’t beaten Newcastle in over a year of action, losing three times to the Magpies already in the 2024/25 campaign.
Despite the Gunners’ poor form against Eddie Howe’s side this term, Paul Merson was confident Arsenal would win, but the early stages told a different story.
Chasing second place, Newcastle wanted to punish the Gunners early, and almost did, as David Raya handed the opposition a chance to score.
Arsenal fans unimpressed by David Raya’s distribution vs Newcastle
In the early stages, Arsenal had possession of the ball and showed little urgency to move play in the right direction, passing Raya the ball.
The Spaniard took a touch before attempting to play a low-driven pass into central midfield, a pass that was blocked by Newcastle, who pounced on the chance to score.
Fortunately, Raya, who will wear the number one next season, did redeem himself by making a tremendous double-save, but it was so nearly a goal for the visitors, gifted by the Arsenal shot-stopper.
Fans reacted to the goalkeeper’s poor distribution on social media, sharing their concern about Raya’s weak spot.
“It’s been one too many mistakes for Raya lately,” a supporter said, as plenty of others shared the same opinion.
“Raya’s distribution has been pathetic lately,” and “Ludicrous to the sublime from Raya.”
Another fan said they have seen Raya make mistakes too many times this season.
“Too many times Raya invites on pressure by playing those passes. Need to iron out these unforced errors.”
The main concern from fans wasn’t how poor Raya’s pass was, but more that the ‘keeper felt that he could play with such little urgency.
“Raya is getting too comfortable,” an Arsenal supporter said, as another compared the Spain international to his former competitor, Aaron Ramsdale.
“Raya is starting to act like Ramsdale now.”
Arteta was right to replace Ramsdale with Raya, but it appears that fans are growing concerned regarding how comfortable the former Brentford ace is becoming as a result of no competition.
“And that’s the reason why we need a proper number 2,” a fan said, mentioning Arsenal’s long-standing interest in Joan Garcia.
“Raya too comfortable with bozo moments. Berta better get the Garcia deal done! Need proper competition.”
A fellow supporter echoed the opinion, “Raya needs serious competition.”
They weren’t the only ones, as a fan added that another member of the squad could do with a competitor to avoid complacency.
“We really need very strong competition for Raya and Saliba.”
A dominant half for Raya despite passing mishap
Though fans had the right to call for additional competition for Raya, who isn’t being tested by deadline day signing Neto, the Spaniard showed why he’s Arteta’s first choice.
His passing was sloppy, but when Arsenal needed him most, the 29-year-old was there to save the day, pulling off a series of top saves against Newcastle.
Complacency does, however, seem to be setting in for Raya, which reinforces why it’s essential that Arsenal welcome a top-quality second-place ‘keeper in the summer.
It was an opening half of ups and downs for Raya, who, for his sublime saves, was identified as a weak point when on the ball.
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