David Raya has shared his reaction to the remarkable goal scored by Dominik Szoboszlai during Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend.
Raya has built a reputation for consistency since his move to the Emirates, earning recognition as one of the standout goalkeepers in England for consecutive seasons. With expectations high for both the Spaniard and Arsenal this campaign, his performances are seen as central to the club’s pursuit of silverware and their ambition to challenge for the Premier League title.
Raya Reflects on Szoboszlai’s Free Kick
When Szoboszlai prepared to take his free kick, there was a general sense that the distance made a successful strike unlikely. Many spectators assumed the Hungarian midfielder would struggle to find the target from such range. Yet he delivered a powerful effort that left Raya with little chance, despite the goalkeeper’s attempt to intervene.
Raya acknowledged the quality of the goal and admitted that adapting to the new match balls continues to be a challenge for those in his position. As quoted by the Daily Mail, Raya stated:
“It’s just a really good strike, especially with the new balls we still have to adapt, especially the goalkeepers, I think everybody would say the same.”
He continued, “It’s going away from me so it’s a little bit harder to gauge and to get there. It’s disappointing not to save it and not to help the team in the way of at least getting a point.”
Determination to Improve
Although the strike was widely applauded as a moment of brilliance, Raya expressed his frustration at not being able to prevent it. His comments underline his desire to make decisive contributions for Arsenal in key matches and his commitment to refining his craft even further.
While Szoboszlai’s goal ultimately secured victory for Liverpool, Raya’s remarks suggest he remains determined to learn from the experience. His resolve indicates that, should he face a similar effort in the future, he will be better prepared to respond.
The goalkeeper’s professionalism and consistency continue to make him an integral part of Arsenal’s ambitions, and moments such as this highlight both the challenges and the opportunities that come with competing at the highest level.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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…
Oh it’s the balls fault. Looks like Raya saw his managers press conference after the first leg of the Newcastle League Cup game of last season.
You just can’t make this stuff up.
Prepare for the case in the defense of Raya, from our resident defense lawyer, David. 😂🤦♂️
Derek, I think these new balls are too round and make it hard for goalkeepers. We missed the chance to try it out on Liverpool 🤣
‘You can’t make this stuff up’? You literally just did, he didn’t say its the ball’s fault. He merely stated it was a phenomenal goal, which it was, and that the new balls require a little adaption – he isn’t saying the only reason the goal happened was because of the ball. Clearly you’ve never played in goal, the footballs can differ massively depending on a bunch of variables.
Fans like you are better off going back to Spurs, you seem to get off on things going wrong for us. We don’t need fans like you at AFC.
MartyK,
Have your opinions about me all you like. But don’t tell me to go back to Spurs as you put it.
I wouldn’t dream of telling anyone on here something like that. I’ve been an Arsenal supporter for many years, and I find your comment offensive.
Just because you don’t agree with my view that’s fair enough. But don’t stoop to the levels of saying we don’t need fans like you at AFC. Uncalled for to say about anyone.
Derek
You know well when someone cannot articulate a reasoned and logical point they often revert to personal insults.
Take it as a compliment my friend, people still touchy about Arteta blaming the blame.
In spite of his ridiculous comment, some will deny he said exactly that.
Blaming the ball that is.
Thank you Durand,
So I’m not the only one who saw the poor ball excuse for what it was then. 👍
Marty fans like you are better off getting lost. Derek made a funny post, it was tongue in cheek and light hearted. A far better poster than the likes of you.
The only thing in MartyK’s post that was wrong, was his reference to the spuds Reggie.
Apart from that, he’s backing up the words that Raya spoke, not twisting them to fit a scenario that Derek wants to introduce.
Good to see someone else calling out the endless negativity!!
Look at the end of Dereks post, there is a laughing emoji and others that indicate a tongin cheek remark, like a lot of us do. Don’t make it out to be what it wasn’t meant to be. And yes, the spuds remark, is totally disrespectful and makes that post, a sham and not worth any credibility.
For some reason, he puts emojis after nearly every post and thinks it’s funny.
I’m not making it out to be something it wasn’t meant to be, that’s why he brought Arteta into the conversation!!
Are we to assume then that your post regarding Martinelli having no footballing brain was totally disrespectful and makes that post a sham and not worth any credibility?
Eureka, Raya just discovered the EPL matchday ball used for the Liverpool game
1. Its spherical in shape
2. Weighs around 16 ounces
3. Diameter around 28 inches, size 5
4. Its made by Puma
5. Its white in color with a pattern.
Now there lies the issue. Our team wears the Adidas kit (and so does LFC). So yes, the ball is reason for the goal, because that thing went past him into the net. And its from Puma, who make jerseys for City! Connect the dots, a hidden agenda against Mikel
Next will be either the net or the woodwork or the ref’s whistle.
Here we go again with the negatives!!
Quote :”It’s just a really good strike, especially with the new balls and we have adapt”…
So where is Raya blaming the ball?!?!
He’s saying – it’s just a really good strike (praising the player)… especially with new
ball (not blaming the ball, actually praising the strike even more!)… we still have to adapt (blaming himself for not doing so)….
How I wish people would read and digest before commenting, otherwise they could make mistakes like quoting the wrong stats. 🤣
Ken1945,
There was no need to even mention the ball. You call it praising the strike, I call it making an excuse for not getting across his goal quick enough to a ball he had in his sights from the minute it left said Liverpool players foot.
But I don’t know why I’m surprised, when you’ve got a manager and a fair few fans that just make excuses for this teams failings, what do you expect. 🤦♂️🙄🤦♂️🤔
So now you have the eyes of Raya then Derek?
He was asked a question and he gave his honest answer.
Of course, there was no need to mention Arteta and his Newcastle news conference either, but you just couldn’t help yourself could you?
Interestingly folks, it’s now being said that the goal shouldn’t have stood, as two pool players were too near the Arsenal wall.
Of course, pundits are all saying that it was a wonderful strike and no keeper could have saved it, but Derek saw it all the way!!
Ken
You’re wasting your time with Derek and his likes; they’d never see anything positive to say about Arteta and his team
In 180 minutes of gametime against Utd and Pool we scored 1 goal. In 90 minutes of gametime against Leeds we scored 5! Now that is something positive. Lets have some champagne.
Now your getting it – that’s the way to celebrate and support the club you profess to love 🍾
CorporateMan,
Your right regards never seeing anything positive to say about Arteta and his team, if they continue to play like that.
Derek and his likes. A very good quote.😂🙄
I know that CorporateMan, but when they start twisting player’s words around to suit their negative views, one has to point it out to them.
As the say, tell a lie enough times and it becomes the truth.
Ken1945,
Your right, tell a lie enough and it becomes the truth. Arteta is very good at lying. Just one example is a recent one.
He said that we’ve picked up more combined points in the last three seasons than any other team, not true. City picked up more, but as you say, twisting words around to suit their agenda in this case.
He made a mistake – I made a recent mistake regarding stats – I’m sure that at some time you’ll make a mistake, it seems it just hasn’t happened yet!!
Ken1945,
I have made mistakes during my time, some real belters in fact along the way.
One back in 1979 sticks in my memory. But I’m not going there.🤔
“As the say, tell a lie enough times and it becomes the truth.”
The motto of Arteta apologists who “coincidentally” are Wenger’s and Emery’s biggest critics and who do not bother to even try hiding their double standards.
HH,
👏👏👏👏👏👍
HH, I’m very disappointed with that statement from you.
It was not aimed at you but the usual Arteta apologists who for 6 years I have read their countless lies, facts twisting and double standards.
That statement is very fit to be their motto.
It was light hearted ken, a bit of fun. Derek didn’t put the article up, he just posted a funny (unusually 🤣) reply.
No it wasn’t light hearted and it wasn’t (as usual) funny Reggie.
Read the post again and you’ll see the usual dig at Arteta, that is his trademark.
You go on about David and his blinkers, but seem not to see the same trait in Derek’s replies.
But Derek doesn’t take himself seriously most of the time and is far more respectful than David ever could be. And Derek is not as blinkered as David, ever.
So tell me what the difference is between the two then Reggie?
Both refuse to see that Arteta
1. Has made good decisions
2. Has made bad decisions.
I don’t even have to put names by each example do I?
You don’t think that David is respectful, because he will fight his corner against you.
I happen to think he’s completely blinkered, but that doesn’t mean he’s disrespectful, just passionate in his belief that Mikel is doing a great job and is being unfairly criticised.
I view Derek in the same way, buy for the obvious differing reasons.
I’ve just watched Joe Hart explaining how Raya did everything correctly, but was just beaten by a sensational free kick… Derek says Raya saw it from the moment it was kicked and positioned himself wrongly.
Now if there was ever an example of being blinkered and ignoring the views of professionals in order to try and make a point, that’s the perfect example.
By the way, have a look at the wall and you will see two pool players infringing on it.
I’m not 100% sure about the new rules, but didn’t we see a Fulham goal disallowed against Chelsea for that reason?
Hi Ken, it was actually the Eze goal against Chelsea that was disallowed when VAR stepped in. Never before had that been done in PL since the law came to be in 2019 and it was strange that VAR decided to take that opportunity to highlight the letter of a law which has only very rarely been applied on any of hundreds of other occasions when it could have been (like the one you mentioned here).
Whatever be the case, Raya talking about new ball looks like he is making excuse. He could have just said its very good strike, period.
Can either of you provide a “blinkered” comment that I have made similar to what you have described for Derek?
Reggie,
It seems I’ve ruffled a few feathers doesn’t it. Ken1945 says I’ve neve had anything positive to say about Arteta.
That’s simply not true. I’ve always acknowledged him turning the club into contenders again. I’ve acknowledged the connection that he’s got back with the fans, of that those two facts can’t and shouldn’t be questioned.
I credit him with the way the team played their free flowing football in the 2022/2023 season. Which makes his 2023/2024/ and 2024/2025 pragmatic style of play all the more baffling.
And yes I am one of his biggest critics, of that there’s no doubt. But I’ll let you into a little secret, I’ve got a mischievous side to me. As I think you in particular have picked up on.
I know it’s naughty, but I can’t help it. I sometimes get a bit bored, and decide to throw high pathetical grenades into the mix. And to be honest, the direction they take the conversations in can be quite good debates at times.
And yes I do have a pop at Arteta quite a lot. Sometimes even I don’t believe all that I write, but it’s the mischievous side of me I’m afraid.
But that’s not to say I don’t stand by a lot of what I think of Arteta on the whole. But I must admit that seeing some of the reactions do make me laugh. And to be fair, apologies to those if I do go a bit far sometimes.
I’m quite a nice person really, I am honest. 😂👍
Pathetical is the operative word Derek
Next time you hypothetically make fun or call out others I suggest you make sure you are whiter than the driven snow. JA have long memories or scrapbooks full of screen shots
So true SueP.
Watch how the sheep follow as well!!
I’ve said before,, thinking your the JA comedian, doesn’t make it so and it’s so tiresome.
SueP,
Its sad to see you get a bit personal there. I’ve never claimed to be whiter than the driven snow, but the fact that some posters on here seem to have had a sense of humour by-pass isn’t my problem.
I can and have been serious on a number of topics, but I do like a good laugh and that’s something I’ll never apologize for.
But here’s a heads up to any fellow poster on here who has any beef with me concerning my views, whether humorous or serious. Don’t respond to any of my posts, my name is at the top of each post. See my name, just give it a wide berth. SIMPLES!.
Derek
You got decidedly personal by naming me, among a few others, of having some agenda against you several months ago. It was ridiculous then and is ridiculous now.
SueP,
Your actually right, and I apologize for back then. It wasn’t my finest hour if I’m honest.
But I haven’t accused you of having an agenda against me in recent times I believe.
But once again my apologies.🤷♂️
Derek
It’s not about apologising now that is done and dusted
It was a gentle reminder to be careful but the last thing I’d want to do is stop your joie de vivre. Your jokes… that’s an entirely different kettle of fish 😊
SueP,
Thank you for your response. Although my apologie still stands. On thinking back, I believe I didn’t actually say that you and others had an agenda against me. What I actually said was something along the lines of, having an agenda against any anti-pro Arteta posts. Meaning those posters in general, not me specifically.
And if my memory serves me correctly, the reason for what I said was. Three or four people came for me regarding a post I had put out about Arteta. And a couple of other poster’s jumped to my defense. And a comment was made about the usual group who come after Anti-pro Arteta post’s.
And rather stupidly, I asked them to be named. They wasn’t, and even more stupidly I then tried to work out who it could be. And I came up with 2 + 2 = 5. Something I now regret.
Something if I had my time again I wouldn’t have said. But you live and learn as the saying goes.
And for the last part of your post, I will continue to have a laugh. As life is to short, and having a laugh beats crying any day of the week. 👍
To me the most important aspect of the quote attributed to Raya,is his admission of his failure to make the save.While it was a very well struck ball i would not expect a top class goalkeeper to be beaten from almost 30 yards.Raya is a very good shot stopper, but there are occasions when his lack of stature counts against him.
With arteta as a coach there a nothing coming out of Emirates,imagine playing Liverpool with 3 DM no nah
He is still a baby coach
Raya has been brilliant for Arsenal. I will accept whatever his comment was. He was always eager to perform, he not known for excuses.
That kick will probably beat most keepers.
I am not a goalkeeping expert though, maybe since the ball is always going to bend, why not cover some two, three feet before flying out for the ball, especially with far distance, the possibility of bending increases
@ken1945
I think you need to leave Arteta to defend himself.
Arsenal have got good players now, and some are the best in the league currently. Don’t get worked up, Arteta has not done anything that many of Arsenal coaches before him hadn’t done better. It’s up to him to get really, really, really serious. It’s been six years, and I, I believe he still in the job because he is easier for Mr SK to control and his inadequacy is covered currently by the good jobs other managers before him had done.
And why would I not defend him, when he’s correct?
There’s plenty of fans ready to have a go at him and when they make sense, I’ll back them up.
I’m not against questioning his, seemingly, wrong decisions, but I’ll also defend him when accusations are made that are pure BS!!
You’ve just made one when you say he’s easier for Mr Kronkie to control!!
So Mr Kronkie selects the team, identifies the players MA needs, chooses our style of play, decides who will leave the club?
If that’s not what you mean, how exactly, does Mr Kronkie control MA?