In the aftermath of Arsenal’s recent encounter with Manchester City, Coach Mikel Arteta has taken a decisive stance, attributing blame for the goalless draw not to himself but to specific players within the squad. David Raya, in particular, found himself in the spotlight following criticism from Gary Neville regarding his performance, notably his erratic kicking and instances of stumbling while attempting kicks. Despite these criticisms, the match culminated in a stalemate at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Pep Guardiola commenting on the unusual dynamics of the first half and the lack of dominant possession from either side. Guardiola speculated that both teams might have been cautious, waiting for the other to make a costly mistake.
While Raya managed to deny Nathan Ake a goal in the first half, his distribution came under scrutiny for its lack of precision. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old goalkeeper has made 22 appearances in the Premier League this season, having taken over from Aaron Ramsdale. Despite occasional criticisms, Raya has garnered praise for his overall performances and has achieved 10 clean sheets for Arsenal this season, notably being the first opposing goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at the Etihad Stadium since October 2021.
Furthermore, Raya notably secured a clean sheet in the reverse fixture against Manchester City earlier in the season, contributing significantly to Arsenal’s 1-0 victory. Arteta expressed satisfaction in securing two clean sheets against Manchester City this season, commending the commitment and discipline exhibited by every player. Looking ahead, Raya is expected to maintain his position in goal as Arsenal resumes their league campaign, demonstrating resilience amidst criticisms. Despite facing scrutiny, Raya’s contributions to Arsenal’s defensive stability and his adeptness at keeping clean sheets have been evident throughout the season.
