Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has claimed that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya is the “biggest disappointment” so far this season.
Arsenal left it till the dying embers to beat Luton Town 4-3 on Tuesday night as Declan Rice rose highest to plant a header past goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.
The Gunners extended their lead at the top of the Premier League after coming out on top in that thrilling affair, however, it could have been a more comfortable scoreline if David Raya hadn’t of gifted the hosts a couple of goals.
Raya was at fault for Luton’s second goal as his weak attempt to claim a cross saw him get out powered by Elijah Adebayo, who nodded into an empty net.
The Spaniard’s night then went from bad to worse close to the hour mark when Ross Barkley’s low-driven effort should have been comfortably saved with his feet, but he allowed the ball to squirm underneath his body.
Whilst it was a night to remember for the title-chasing Gunners, it was one to forget for the on-loan Brentford man, who has been heavily criticised for his lackadaisical performances in between the sticks.
Jamie Carragher labels David Raya as the “biggest disappointment” this season
Raya’s errors against Luton could have easily cost them all three points but Rice’s late-winner luckily bailed him out.
If the Gunners are to win the Premier League title, the shaky shot-stopper isn’t the commanding presence required in-between the sticks.
His error-prone performance at Kenilworth Road wasn’t the first time that the 28-year-old has dropped a clanger, costing them their unbeaten record in the 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United.
In a game that required intense concentration to get a result, Raya did the complete opposition by flapping at a Joe Willock cross which allowed Anthony Gordon to tap into an empty net.
And Carragher believes that Raya, along with Manchester United’s Andre Onana, have been hugely disappointing this season.
Speaking on The Overlap, he said: “The biggest disappointments in the Premier League so far this season would be the two goalkeepers at Manchester United and Arsenal – Andre Onana and David Raya.
“They’ve been quite poor after coming in as ‘improvements’ from the previous keepers, and it’s almost stayed the same or even gone backwards with them coming in.”
Following his shocking display, many fans have called for Arteta to drop Raya for Aaron Ramsdale.
Although the Englishman has hardly covered himself in glory this season, he’s performed better than his goalkeeping compatriot.
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