Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has given an unusual explanation for allowing to Dominik Szoboszlai’s superb free kick in the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat to Premier League winners Liverpool on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s side has not won at Anfield since 2012, and while many have blamed their own performance issues, Raya believes the goal was due to something else entirely.
Liverpool enters the first international break of the season on top of the league with a clean record, due to Szoboszlai’s sensational score less than 10 minutes from time. It wasn’t a classic like some of the Reds’ other games this season, but they easily beat their closest title contenders. Watch the goal below.
Peter Schmeichel later stated that he was pulling for Liverpool because he disliked Arsenal’s “ugly” style of play, while several supporters online claimed Arteta’s team had lined up solely to score from a set piece. Raya, on the other hand, inexplicably blamed something else: the new Puma match ball.
Raya blames Puma Ball for Liverpool’s goal.
The Spanish shot-stopper suggested that the erratic flight of the new Puma match ball was to blame for Szoboszlai’s winner, repeating Arteta’s comments from last season’s Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Newcastle. He told Sky Sports (see the interview below):
“It’s different from the Nike ball, so we’ll have to adapt. The grip and kick are different. After years of playing with the Nike ball, we simply had to adapt. It is the same for everyone.
Raya also praised Szoboszlai’s set-piece performance, saying, “I think it’s a hell of a strike.” I recall the ball traveling quickly and away from me. Hopefully, the next one can be saved. It’s a tremendous strike, especially with the new balls and everything. We still need to adapt. It’s moving away from me, making it more difficult to gauge and save.”
The Premier League has adopted Puma balls for the 2025/26 season, with the Puma Orbita Ultimate PL being used throughout.
According to the Premier League website, the ball has “enlarged and deeper seams designed to improve aerodynamics and maintain shape retention” and was initially used in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States during the pre-season.
xz
