David Seaman has questioned David Raya’s decision-making in the build-up to Sunderland’s late equaliser. The Gunners failed to pick up a win for the first time in nearly two months against the Black Cats last time out. Arsenal also missed the chance to become the first English top-flight side to register nine wins and nine clean sheets in succession.
Goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard were cancelled out by strikes either side of the break from the hosts. Sunderland were largely starved of clear-cut chances throughout, generating an xG of less than 0.50 during the contest. Their second goal represented a fair share of that tally, a strike that should arguably have been prevented by the Arsenal defence.
Seaman questions Raya’s late decision
David Raya has since come under scrutiny for his part in Brian Brobbey’s equaliser. The Spaniard failed to clear his lines or win the ball despite choosing to come out early. Speaking in his analysis of the goal via Metro, Arsenal legend David Seaman suggested the keeper must take some responsibility for the costly error.
“Whether Raya should come, I’d question that,” Seaman said. “And the way he comes for the ball, he tries to catch it, is he aware of the guy [Brobbey] getting close?
“It’s a great finish by Brobbey but I would just question the decision of Raya, whether he should come and try to punch it, rather than try to catch it.”
Defensive lapse proves costly
Raya’s lapse in concentration was unexpected given the consistency he has shown since his arrival at the Emirates. It was an uncharacteristic mistake from one of the Premier League’s most dependable goalkeepers, and it ultimately cost Arsenal two points. Alongside Raya, Gabriel has also faced criticism for his role in the equaliser, failing to clear his lines before Brobbey pounced.
What did you make of the defensive mix-up, Gooners? How costly do you think it could prove at the end of the gameweek?
Benjamin Kenneth
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
He came, misjudged and if he couldn’t get it, he should have stayed on his line. Big mistake and a bit weak.
Raya,Gabriel,Saliba and Rice made some uncharacteristic errors that contributed to both goals. There was also no pressure on the ball from our forwards before that second goal.
I’d say the whole team was lacking in sharpness at that point. Raya misjudged it and perhaps there was miscommunication too.
These lapses in concentration tell me the guys were mentally tired and that tends to be punished by the better sides. Time for a reset after 10 wins.
It was a rare, erratic display by Raya, and I’m glad that he’s got it out of his system before the NLD.
Two hard away games which involved the two teams roughing us up and getting away with it, but ten away wins and one away draw in all competitions is still impressive, we allowed Sunderland to get under our skin, the ref and VAR failed to address the blatant elbow, but still stop and we have Noni, Odegaard, Gyokeres and possibly Havertz back after the break
blanta
Sunderland are a chaos team and we won’t be the only big team to suffer playing them. They doubled up quickly on whoever had the ball and were quick and hard in their tackles, fair play to them, also they studied us closely even moving the advertising hoardings closer to the touch lines to stop our long throws.
David Raya is far from perfect. He’s always trying to play sweeper and has been protected by his back line. His made far too many mistakes by trying to play a high line goal keeper. Last season he made errors that cost us and continues to come out of his box far to often whilst it’s unnecessary