Mikel Arteta refuses to answer questions on David Raya’s clangers in a frosty post-match interview after the goalkeeper’s errors cost Arsenal two goals during their dramatic 4-3 win against Luton
- The Arsenal goalkeeper was at fault for two of Luton’s goals on Tuesday night.
- The Gunners were leading 2-1 before David Raya made two errors.
Mikel Arteta turned a blind eye to two mistakes by goalkeeper David Raya during Arsenal’s dramatic 4-3 win over Luton on Tuesday night.
It comes amid the manager’s comments this season that his goalkeepers are interchangeable, with Raya ahead of Aaron Ramsdale in the Spanish manager’s pecking order and starting all but one of Arsenal’s last 11 matches.
Raya’s performance came under scrutiny on Tuesday after he fumbled Alfie Doughty’s corner to allow Elijah Adebayo to level the game at 2-2 before he failed to stop Ross Barkley’s shot, allowing the ball to pass under him.
And after the match, he was asked about the two mistakes by Amazon Prime Sport reporter Alex Eljo, who said: “There’s a lot of talk about the goalkeeping situation at the moment. Is it fair to say that the two goals were a gift to Luton?”
But Arteta categorically avoided answering, saying: “I’m so happy with the team.”
Mikel Arteta answered questions about David Raya’s performance in Arsenal’s 4-3 win over Luton.
Raya made two errors that allowed Luton to score, the first coming when he fumbled on a corner, allowing Elijah Adebayo to fire home from close range.
The reporter pressed again, asking, “Have you spoken to David Rye?”
But the Gunners manager said again: “I’ve spoken to all of them. They all jump. They are so happy. So today I’m a really happy coach.”
Arsenal conceded three goals away from home for the first time this season this evening and the manager praised Luton for the way they attacked Arsenal.
“That’s a credit to them too,” he said after conceding three goals and conceding those of his opponents.
“Their play was excellent and their scoring was excellent and sometimes we just have to applaud the opposition because they did what they did and a lot of credit goes to them because they are really hard to beat.” It was a tough night.”
He also missed Ross Barkley’s shot which went underneath him to give Luton a 3-2 lead.
During the match, commentator Ally McCoist said of Rai’s first mistake: “Terrible for a goalkeeper. Horrible. However, Ross Barkley and Luton won’t mind. Rob Edwards too.
“I thought he (Raya) should have scored the second goal better, but he definitely should have scored the third goal better.
“It’s close to him, but he must be saving his comrade. We need to save this. Just thought that was great strength from Barkley.
The Gunners manager has previously dismissed claims that Raya is struggling under pressure to perform alongside Ramsdale, with the England striker now being monitored by rival clubs after falling out of favor.
