As you can imagine, it is yielding mixed performances and results, and in other cases, old habits die hard.
There aren’t many Arsenal players who can’t hold their heads up high after their most recent performance in the Premier League.
Yes, Mikel Arteta didn’t achieve his goal of winning the title, but they missed out on the last day and are very close to getting over that line.
One man who was key to their improvement was on-loan goalkeeper David Raya, who is the number two for Spain at Euro 2024.
Given that the Spanish had won their opening two matches, the Arsenal man was handed his first start against Albania and he did what he does best, which is secure a clean sheet.
Saturday 17th August
Brighton
But as mentioned above, old habits die hard and Jermaine Jenas stated that Raya is a ‘strange one’ after he nearly scored a comical own goal, as he told Match of the Day on BBC One.
Spain were winning 1-0, cruising and dominating possession when Raya kicked the ball straight at the Albanian player and it nearly bounced back into his own net.
Jenas thinks that’s an issue in his game because he also does it for Arsenal, as he left the midfielder puzzled and the lead commentator, Guy Mowbray.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
David Raya starts for Spain at Euro 2024
“Goodness me, well that’s what happens when you have it too easy for too long, I guess,” responded Guy Mowbray to Raya nearly scoring a comical own goal.
“A strange one, Raya, isn’t he?!” added Jenas. “He seems to have one of them in him, every now and again. Even for Arsenal this year, I thought it was a reasonable season for his first year at such a big club.
“But he still seems to have one of them in him that he needs to get rid of.”
David Raya of Spain controls the ball during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Albania and Spain at Dusseldorf Arena on June 24, 2024 in...
Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images
David Raya at Arsenal next season
Arsenal had the best defence during the recently concluded campaign and they say that is what wins you titles.
Yes, it didn’t for the Gunners this time around, but you feel they have to repeat that feat if they are to finally get over the line.
A huge part of that is the system Arsenal play and how they defend from the front, starting with Kai Havertz, adding in the likes of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
Raya was well-protected last season and you feel it is going to be difficult to repeat that again, so his concentration levels will have to improve.
0 Comments