Why David Raya is missing for Arsenal’s Champions League clash vs Girona amid injury concerns

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Mikel Arteta made eight changes to his Arsenal squad for the Champions League clash against Girona.

The Gunners are all but through to the round of 16 of the new Champions League format, with Girona presenting the final hurdle. 

Sitting eighth in La Liga, Girona mustn’t be underestimated, despite their low ranking in the Champions League table, positioned in 31st with just one win to their name. 

Arteta made eight changes to his squad to play the Spanish side, including handing a debut to one summer signing. 

• READ MORE: Who is the referee for Arsenal clash with Girona? UEFA match officials and VAR decision confirmed

Why David Raya is missing from Arsenal squad vs Girona

The most prominent change in the starting XI was Arteta’s decision to hand Neto his Arsenal debut, months after his arrival on loan from Bournemouth. 

Having not seen the Brazilian in action yet, fans will be eager to get a good look at the 35-year-old, but it comes at the expense of David Raya. 

Raya has started all of Arsenal’s Champions League games this season however, the Spaniard wasn’t only absent from the starting lineup but also the match day squad. 

Amid Arsenal’s dire struggles with injuries this campaign, concern was immediately expressed about the shot-stopper’s fitness with, Raya adding to anxiety around key absences.

Journalist Simon Collings relayed that Arteta confirmed that the Arsenal goalkeeper was ‘not fit’ to play in the fixture, which is a real concern for the Gunners.

It’s unclear what injury Raya has suffered, with all eyes now on his fitness ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta rotates with eight changes in Arsenal lineup 

Aside from Raya missing out through injury, the likes of William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz dropped out of the starting lineup to be rested.

The outfield trio were named on the bench in case of emergency but, a rest is exactly what many will be pleased to see. 

It’s a particularly big occasion for starters Neto and fellow summer signing Raheem Sterling, who has earned consecutive starts in the Champions League for the first time at Arsenal.

Though the work in the Champions League opening phase is all but done, the Gunners will want to end this round of the competition in style having built encouraging form in Europe this term.