David Raya produced a dreadful performance for Arsenal against Luton Town.
Arsenal left it late to claim a 4-3 win against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday evening. Declan Rice’s last second winner spared the blushes of David Raya, after the goalkeeper was at fault for two of the goals he conceded.
There was nothing that the Spanish shot-stopper could do about Luton’s first goal. Uncharacteristically poor set piece defending from the Gunners allowed Gabriel Osho to power a header into the corner of the net.
However, soon after the break, the hosts scored again, via another corner. This time it was Elijah Adebayo who nodded in and Raya should certainly have done far better. The 28-year-old decided to come off his line but was weak in trying to claim the ball and didn’t get near it.
Less than ten minutes later, Luton were ahead. Ross Barkley’s effort was low and awkward, but should have been dealt with by Raya. Instead of using his feet, though, the Brentford loanee attempted to get down to the ball with his hands, and it duly squirmed under his body and into the back of the net. Really, it has to be considered a howler from the ‘keeper.
Much has been made of Mikel Arteta’s decision to make Raya the first choice Arsenal ‘keeper this season, ahead of Aaron Ramsdale. The England man was impressive last season and is a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium. The calls for him to be brought back into the starting XI will grow louder once again in the wake of this match.
Arteta has been criticised for his treatment of Ramsdale from some quarters, as the 25-year-old is thought to have done little to deserve losing his starting berth. Perhaps the manager will be reconsidering his pecking order between the sticks this week.
Arsenal fans have their say on David Raya
After Raya’s display against the Hatters, plenty of Arsenal fans took to X to share their thoughts. One supporter said, “Raya genuinely deserves to be dropped, if Ramsdale did nothing wrong to be dropped. Interesting to see how and what Arteta does.”
Another fan stated, prior to Rice’s late winner, that “I don’t think we’ve even played that badly, Raya has just fully cost us.” After the final whistle, with the win confirmed, one supporter said, “David Raya needs to wash Declan Rice jersey in the dressing room before leaving Luton park. He saves him big time.”
Referencing a claim Arteta made earlier this season about his plans to substitute goalkeepers within matches, one fan said, “Raya looks lost. Arteta spoke about subbing the keeper and I can’t think of a better time than now.”
Another supporter believes that Ramsdale has been unfairly treated by the boss, claiming that “Ramsdale got dropped for Raya for doing nothing wrong. Raya has made mistakes in games and kept his place. He should’ve done better for the three goals tonight, and he’ll still start on Saturday. Arteta’s blind love for Raya is costing Arsenal.”
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