Ian Wright has told Arsenal fans that they may have to put up with their “frustration” over David Raya, given Mikel Arteta is set to back his new goalkeeper wholeheartedly.
The Spanish shot-stopper was caught a number of times in possession during the win against Manchester City, including in one moment early in the game that saw his clearance cannon off Julian Alvarez and almost into the back of the net.
Despite groans from the Arsenal faithful, former Gunners striker Wright believes Raya carries a “calmness” into the defence that Arteta will stick with.
“You could see the Arsenal fans getting frustrated with David Raya,” he told Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast.
“They want him to pop the ball into midfield like we see Ederson do for Manchester City, but that isn’t what Mikel Arteta wants him to do. We see managers like Roberto de Zerbi and Mikel Arteta when their goalkeepers go long and lose possession, they hate it.
“I thought David Raya was quite cool in the first half, it was a bit nervy, but he did what the manager wanted him to do, especially in the second half where his distribution was brilliant, and the Arsenal fans need to get used to the fact that he will take his time.
“I’ve seen some saves this season from David Raya where I think he’ll save us a few times this season, especially with his calm nature on the pitch and the way he comes for a ball and isn’t afraid to take everything out with him. A calmness which helps the back four.”
Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher agreed with Wright that, far from being nervous in the win at Emirates Stadium, Raya was arguably “too cool” on the ball - and that was his undoing.
“I don’t think David Raya looked nervous against Manchester City, I thought it was almost the opposite where he was too cool on the ball and that is what Mikel Arteta wants in his goalkeeper,” said the Liverpool legend.
“A lot of teams are doing this now, and I think Brighton started it, where you entice teams towards your goal. I don’t think Raya was nervous, I think he was inviting the pressure. But then sometimes you wait too long and you make mistakes.”
