Following the match, David Raya faced criticism from Gary Neville for a specific aspect of his performance against Manchester City.
Neville pointed out Raya’s poor kicking and noted his tendency to fall over while attempting kicks.
The match between Manchester City and Arsenal ended in a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola, reflecting on the game, described the first half as unusual and highlighted both teams’ lack of quality on the ball. He suggested that perhaps they were waiting for the opposition to make a mistake.
While Raya prevented Nathan Ake from scoring in the first half, his distribution was criticized for lacking precision. Despite his occasional shortcomings, the 28-year-old goalkeeper has made 22 appearances in the Premier League this season after replacing Aaron Ramsdale.
Raya has garnered praise for his performances overall, but some critics have emerged due to certain displays between the goalposts.
Nevertheless, Raya has managed to keep 10 clean sheets for Arsenal this season, a commendable feat. Additionally, he became the first opposition goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at the Etihad Stadium since October 2021.
Notably, Raya also achieved a clean sheet in the reverse fixture against Manchester City earlier in the season, contributing to Arsenal’s 1-0 victory.
Mikel Arteta expressed pride in securing two clean sheets against Manchester City this season, emphasizing the commitment and discipline shown by every player.
He highlighted the team’s competitiveness, stating that they performed exceptionally well against a formidable opponent.
Looking ahead, Raya is expected to retain his position in goal as Arsenal resume their league campaign against Luton Town on Wednesday.
Despite criticism and scrutiny, Raya’s contributions to Arsenal’s defensive solidity and his ability to keep clean sheets have been noteworthy throughout the season.
