Paul Merson affirmed that coach Mikel Arteta made a big mistake with the way he handled the situation at the goalkeeper position. The Arsenal legend commented:
“With the way he handled the situation as a goalkeeper, Mikel Arteta put everyone under heavy pressure. He put himself under pressure, and at the same time forced David Raya under pressure. It was another big mistake by Arteta at Stamford Bridge.”
Arteta decided to use Raya.
“For a goalkeeper at a top club, things are very different. The pressure is really immense when you play for a big club like Arsenal, week in and week out. Everything you do are all put under the microscope. On the other hand, at a club like Brentford, people often have the mentality of winning one game and losing one. In big clubs, everything is exaggerated and Arsenal is one big club.”
“Raya is a good goalkeeper, but he is facing a difficult problem. It will be difficult for Raya to escape this slump, especially when everything he does is analyzed.”
“That’s why Gareth Southgate sticks with the players in the top teams. They play under intense pressure every week.”
Huynh Phong | 09:30 October 24, 2023
