Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya endured a torrid first half against Manchester City where he almost gifted the visitors a goal as Gunners fans questioned why Aaron Ramsdale was not on the pitch
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was almost caught out by Man City’s Julian Alvarez
Arsenal fans were up in arms at new goalkeeper David Raya after the Gunners’ No.1 suffered a nervy start against Manchester City.
Summer signing Raya has only recently established himself as first choice ahead of Aaron Ramsdale but his first-half performance against City left many Arsenal fans calling for their former No.1 who was sat watching from the bench. Raya made an error in the defeat to Lens in midweek and looked as if he was struggling to shake it off for the crunch showdown at the Emirates on Sunday.
He almost gifted a goal to City when he took too long to clear a routine backpass and was charged down by City striker Julian Alvarez, whose block almost sent the ball rebounding into the net. Raya was brought in by Mikel Arteta specifically for his distribution skills and competence when playing out from the back - but it appeared the occasion was getting the better of him.
Gary Neville was co-commentating on the match for Sky Sports and observed: “He’s just a bit jittery Raya. He’s not seeing things as clearly as Arsenal fans would like.”
The pundit later suggested Raya was “really struggling” and added: “I can spot a keeper a mile off that’s a nervous wreck and there’s one right in front of you,” before assessing: “The mistake in midweek he’s carried into this game, he’s not sharp enough and he’s very lucky.”
Arsenal fans were on the same page and took to social media to criticise the Spaniard, who is on loan from Brentford. “Get Raya off asap,” one fumed, as another confessed: “My patience is running thin for Raya. Is he mad?”
Others were immediately convinced Arsenal had the wrong man on the pitch, with one declaring: “Raya is c*** playing out from the back. Ramsdale far better.” Another fan agreed: “I’m sorry, I’m still yet to see anything from Raya that shows me he’s better than Ramsdale.”
One fan didn’t need to see more as they insisted: “There’s no way Raya is better than Ramsdale, absolutely no way.” Amidst a clear wave of negativity, a different supporter said: “David Raya this is not Brentford. You’re here for a title challenge. Act like it.”
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Arteta made headlines recently when he suggested he could even substitute goalkeepers mid-match amid the debate over Arsenal’s No.1. One angry fan blasted: “Raya is going to cost us this game. His short passing is horrendous. Mikel has said before he wanted to change a GK mid game and didn’t have the b**. F** do it then.”
TV personality and Arsenal fan Piers Morgan was also quick to judge his contribution, stating: “Raya is a nervous bloody wreck,” while ex-England striker Darren Bent commented that the Gunners’ keeper was “making me nervous.”
Raya did see things through till half-time and there were others who felt the reaction to Raya’s early jitters had been a little exaggerated. “Gary Neville needs to calm down about Raya,” one fan suggested. “Miles over the top”
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