THIERRY HENRY has said David Raya was “lucky” during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory against Sevilla on Tuesday night.
The Arsenal legend singled out the Spanish keeper for escaping punishment following his major blunder in the Champions League clash.
Arsenal was able to secure all three points thanks to the Brazilian duo Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus who put the team two up with goals either side of halftime.
But the win was not easy as Mikel Arteta’s men had to fight for the points when Sevilla defender Gudelj pulled one back for the hosts.
It was a nervy finish for the Gunners as shot-stopper Raya almost punched a cross into his own net in added time.
Luckily for the Spaniard, he put enough pressure on the ball to ensure it hopped over the crossbar.
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The blunder has been marked as his worst to date since he moved to the Emirates from Brentford on loan over the summer.
Henry reflected on the Gunner’s performance on Tuesday night but singled out Raya while talking to CBS Sports Golazo.
He said: “I thought at the end we invited them a bit too much on our box, allowed them to cross too early. The wingers were playing as almost full-backs.
“Raya got lucky, I think we all saw it when he punched the ball and everybody looked at it and the ball went over the crossbar.
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“We ended up playing a 6-3-1 at the end which is why they were crossing the ball in because no one was going to put pressure on to stop the crosses.”
“When you win away from home in Europe, it is always a good result, especially against a team like Sevilla.”
Since Raya’s arrival from the Bees, he has replaced Arteta’s former No1 Aaron Ramsdale.
The decision has come under scrutiny from fans and pundits and after Raya’s howler in Tuesday’s game, it is unlikely the calls for Ramsdale’s return will quieten.
And the slip-up follows just days after he looked shaky between the sticks in Arsenals’ 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
The shot-stopper was caught stranded when Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross-shot looped over him.
But the Spaniard has been backed by Arteta and it is expected he will remain as the first-choice keeper ahead of the Gunner’s Premier League clash against Sheffield United on Saturday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
