David Raya was able to find the humorous side despite receiving a yellow card for engaging in ‘dark arts’ during Spain’s Nations League victory against Denmark.
Following a great start to the new season, the Arsenal goalkeeper looks to have supplanted Unai Simon as La Roja’s No.1.
Raya preserved another clean sheet Wednesday night, as the defending European Champions won 1-0 thanks to Martin Zubimendi’s 79th-minute goal.
The 29-year-old put on another immaculate performance, and he was even able to shrug off the injury time penalty he earned for attempting to run down the clock.
Arsenal’s tactics have come under scrutiny at times this season, with their players’ set-piece performances getting under the skin of their opponents.
Last month, Arsenal were shown to be the league’s top time-wasters, with Raya accused of abusing a regulation loophole by Liverpool great Jamie Carragher.
‘When I brought up Morurinho, he was always ahead of the game in terms of trying to gain an edge somewhere,’ Carragher told Sky Bet’s The Overlap.
Arsenal outperforms everyone else in one area. I’m not sure whether the data back me up, but I believe the goalkeeper falls down far more than other goalkeepers in difficult circumstances.
‘The regulation is that a goalkeeper cannot be sent off, therefore the Arsenal coaching staff are more aware of this than anybody else. Raya has a tendency to falter under pressure.
Guest host Paul Scholes jumped in and went a step further, saying: ‘Cheating that’s called, Jamie?”It is, but you said it so you could get the headline and not me,’ Carragher said.
Arsenal faced particularly harsh criticism following their contentious 2-2 draw with Manchester City last month, in which they were only denied a historic victory by a late John Stones equalizer.
Arteta defended his squad following the tie, saying, “We had to play the game that we had to play.” They played 30 seconds with 10 men, and see what they did,” Arteta observed, alluding to the brief period in which City stuttered when Rodri was injured and replaced by Mateo Kovacic in the first half.
It’s normal what they did. Unfortunately, we have been in the same scenario previously. We were in the same scenario with Granit [Xhaka, the midfielder who was sent off], and we lost 5-0. We had best learn. If not, I’d be really thick.
