David Raya is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s goalkeepers most prone to time-wasting, particularly when he is in possession of the ball. This perception has grown due to the frequency with which he has received yellow cards for time-wasting since arriving at Arsenal. His approach to game management has drawn the attention of officials and observers alike.
Despite this, Raya remains one of the finest shot-stoppers in the division. His calm distribution, positioning, and decision-making have cemented his place as the Gunners’ first-choice goalkeeper, and there is currently no indication that his role is under threat. However, a potential rule change may force him to adapt his style of play.
New Timekeeping Rule Under Consideration
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has been trialling a rule in other competitions that could soon be implemented in the Premier League. The rule proposes that if a goalkeeper holds on to the ball for more than eight seconds, the opposing team would be awarded a corner kick. The goal is to deter time-wasting and increase the amount of effective playing time during matches.
This development could significantly impact goalkeepers like Raya, who often use possession to manage the pace and rhythm of the game. The focus on maximising in-play time reflects growing concern across the footballing community that deliberate delays are disrupting the flow and entertainment value of matches.
Former Official Highlights Importance of Consistency
Speaking to Football Insider, former PGMOL official Keith Hackett commented on the proposed change. He stated, “Let’s face it – they’ve got eight seconds. It doesn’t matter if they’ve got the ball in their hands, or between their hand and the floor. Either way, they’re in possession. The clock starts ticking, the spectators see the referee’s raised hand, and I think what is important is that the referees apply this law 100 per cent, across all levels of the game.”
If adopted in the Premier League, this rule could bring a new layer of scrutiny to goalkeeping conduct. It would also require a strategic adjustment from goalkeepers like Raya, who must ensure compliance while still managing game tempo effectively. As pre-season approaches, it is expected that players and coaches will be briefed on the rule, allowing ample time to prepare for any eventual implementation.
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About 25 years ago they brought in the 6 seconds rule for the goalie to release the ball. I remember our home game against Villa and their keeper David James was penalised for holding on to the ball to long. From the resulting free kick Davor Suker scored. Like most new rules, after a while the refs didn’t bother penalising the player.
Do I think Raya will struggle with this rule ? No more than any other keeper.
One thing I’ve noticed about these most rule changes is that they tend to be enforced in the early stages of a season. There’s been inconsistency in the past,in how the referees apply rule changes in different matches and at different times of the season. I just hope for consistency.
Obviously Raya wouldn’t want to sabotage himself and the team, therefore I can see him taking less time if the officials are serious about this.
Ben white on throw ins would be worthy of some sort.of punishment does my head in
Awarding a corner increases playing time?
Playing time is good, time wasting is bad
Agree. Just give yellow cards and don’t stop play.
I don’t see how the new rules concerning “Time wasting” will affect Raya’s game?
He only takes advantage that loophole in the system because it’s readily available to him.
All he will do is not time waste any more and everything is will be okay.
😊👍
All he’ll need to do is bounce the ball or touch down and start again for another eight seconds.
It would probably take longer to get both teams to come up the pitch for a corner than for a goalkeeper to take a goal kick. Doing this would probably impact the flow of play which is probably what they were trying to stop in the first place. Just give them a yellow card and get on with the game.
Admin, any idea why my post hasn’t been approved ?
Admin, any news ?
Herr Drier, you had a typo with your username which registered it as a new user, which means first post is moderated. That’s what happened to me when I joined.
Your username was typed as “Herr Drier c” That’s what caused it to go wrong
If his upfield team mates made themselves quickly available for a throw or kick out, he wouldn’t need to hang onto the ball for so long in the first place.
In principle, the rule is necessary. It is however important to note that there’s a tendency for strikers to block the line of sight and impede ball destribution by goalkerpers.
I think 10 seconds would be more reasonable. The Arsenal coach needs to seriously impose a time limit on his players throw-in also. That’s the most irritating aspect of Arsenal’s game, even to the fans.
I really don’t get why the powers that be. are so reluctant to change two things that will kick time wasting out of the game for good, and the fans would get what they pay for, ie: 90 minutes of football with no time wasting.
Firstly, you take the time keeping away from the referee. You have an official time keeper in the stands or where ever, and every time there’s a stop in play, the official stops the clock. And the clock is only restarted when the ball is in play.
Then goal keepers can take as much time as they want taking goal kicks, players can feign injury as much as they want, take as long as they like taking set piece’s, none of it wasting time of course until the ball is back in play. SIMPLES!👍
This is a good idea, already practiced in other sports like basketball and rugby, but I don’t think it’s practical in football because the duration would be too long.
A basketball game in the NBA is 48 minutes long but ends up taking about two and a half hours. Granted, basketball has many time outs, but this just shows this style elongates the time.
If we were to account for injury stoppages, VAR review stoppages, throw in stoppages, halftime, set piece stoppages and substitution stoppages, plus the 90 minutes, a game of football could go for 3 hours or longer. Wouldn’t fit in TV schedules and they’ll be the first to reject it. There will probably be a surge in injuries as well as players go from playing 60 minutes to 90 minutes. The game will likely become boring as well for the final 30 minutes because of tired legs and minds, unless we allow for unlimited substitutions like in basketball.
Onyango,
Regards the subs, that would at least give more of the squad some minutes, and that would be good from a whole squad point view.
Derek, you may remember an experiment some years back by one of the TV companies who showed a complete game with all the stoppages edited out, and it lasted around 43 minutes. So on that basis, an extra 45/50/60 minutes added to most games by the time keeper would cause all the kinds of issues as noted by Onyango, plus problems for travelling fans getting home by train.
Agree with you , also the clock should be stopped after a goal is scored, that would stop the ridiculous sight of players charging into the goal to retrieve the ball and defenders holding on to it.
By the way, I think time wasting will always be a part of the sport. Even if it’s stopped in one way, it will come back in a different shape or form. It’s part of gamesmanship and though many fans won’t admit it, we hate it when opponents do it but love it when it’s working in our favour.
Onyango, I’m OK with running the clock down, like taking the ball into the corners, continuously passing it back to the keeper etc, it’s up to the other side to prevent this, but I did really hate blatant time wasting when I’d paid to see a game.
Jax,
I’m not against so called time wasting if the balls in play as the opposition have the chance to do something about it.
And I hear what you say regards to the length of time it could take, bit if the players know that taking time over set pieces no longer worked there’d be no point in wasting time. So could therefore speed it up maybe.
You say it’s been tried but was found to take longer, well it might be the case to start with, but if it’s persisted with, and with the learnings along the way, it could still have legs in my opinion.
Timewasting for me, from my team or the other team is cheating the paying fan as far as I’m concerned. I don’t know about you, but when I used to go, I didn’t pay my hard earned money to watch said player take an age to take a throw in.
I’m glad if it gets implemented as it totally pees me off seeing Raya not getting the ball out quickly and as for our throw ins, please don’t get me started!🤬
GB,
Totally agree.👍👏
Ben Whites taking a throw in💤💤💤💤
Arsenal might be penalized for wasting 8 seconds while others can be excused for 20 seconds delay.
We should be used to this, already.
Now, Now, Thrill.
Don’t raise the conspiracy theories again. We need to wait and see if the rule is to be changed first. 😂👍
I know you are one of those who believe match officiating does not influence games.
Thrill,
Your comment saying I don’t believe the match officiating does not influence games isn’t true. Of course it does on occasion, but I just don’t go along with the conspiracy theorists.
All teams can look back at decisions and come up with a conspiracy theory, but in the main it’s just down right incompetence by said officials. 🤷♂️
DEREK:
Deliberate incompetence.
Heard the news about the disciplinary committee targeting Mourinho and fernabahce, recently?
Maybe one of those mere incidents.
You see what Myles Lewis Skelly went through last season?
Those deliberate attempts to shatter the player just like they did Nketiah when every contact with an opponent was deemed a foul against him even when he was being kicked.
They did that until they broke him.
No new thing.
Clubs are being targeted; players are being targeted.
And then there are some mistakes like FORGETTING to draw the line – amidst others.
EVERTON has been sanctioned.
CRYSTAL PALACE has been sanctioned.
Man City sanctioned?
You should just as well forget about that — not going to happen — not until they fall out with the Etihad heads maybe twenty years from now.
Maybe they could be fined £2000 for expiry of evidence.
The game is rigged.
Deliberate incompetence mostly.
Should PGMOL see this:
I could be banned from writing for bringing the game to disrepute.
What about Skelley didn’t get a second yellow at PSV ?
If you truly believe the game is rigged why would you watch it ?