Gary Neville believes the pressure is starting to get on Arsenal’s new No.1 David Raya and he is making ‘mistakes’ more and more when he feels the heat.
Raya struggled during Arsenal’s recent Champions League appearance against Lens and his confidence was hit again when he was sent off by Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed cross in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Neville, who covered the London derby on commentary, believes the level of scrutiny on Raya since taking over from previous No.1 Aaron Ramsdale is starting to get to the Spaniard.
“David Raya started his career at Arsenal well, but then he had a bad Champions League game (against Lens), followed by that first half against Manchester City,” Neville said during commentary on Sky Sports.
“Now, this game. It’s getting hot for him. He has a ‘help’ look on his face.
David Raya’s performance away against Chelsea appears to have come under scrutiny again
The Spaniard was eliminated by Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
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‘It’s the most difficult position to play and especially when you play for one of the biggest clubs in the league you are under the most scrutiny, especially if you are a goalkeeper.
‘Mikel Arteta created that, let’s be clear about the situation in Ramsdale and Raya. It’s unusual, but he says it can work.
“I never believed this would be possible, and I believe we are now seeing the challenges that are before our eyes because there will be pressure now.
‘Aaron Ramsdale had not done much wrong at the start of the season. Raya has now started making mistakes.’
Raya (left) has displaced Aaron Ramsdale (right) as number one, but many feel the pressure is showing
Ramsdale has made no secret of his frustration at having fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal, not least because he fears for his place in the England squad for next summer’s European Championship.
“It surprised us all when Aaron Ramsdale was left out of a game a month or so ago,” Neville added in the match after the game. Gary Neville podcast.
‘We thought it might be for a few games, but now it looks like David Raya is No. 1. The problem is that he now looks nervous and makes mistakes.’
He continued: ‘I feel like there’s a problem developing here, where Ramsdale is going to knock on the door and say, ‘Take me back in’ and if (Arteta) doesn’t do that, he’ll ask for to leave.’
Fellow Sky pundit Jamie Redknapp echoed Neville’s thoughts, adding that Raya, who looked so calm during his time at Brentford, seems ‘a bag of nerves’ for Arsenal.
“He looks like a bag of nerves at the moment,” Redknapp said.
‘Raya really struggles with the pressure and criticism he is under. He gives the ball away, it seems like he always concedes goals. The situation didn’t help him.
“People have said that Aaron Ramsdale should consider leaving, but I don’t agree with that. I think he has to keep going, given the way Raya has given away so many goals. He doesn’t show that he is good enough to be number 1.
‘Mikel Arteta complicated a situation he didn’t need to have.’
Ramsdale was a regular in the Gunners’ starting XI for two seasons but has now lost his place in Arteta’s team to Raya.
Raya (centre) looks like ‘a bag of nerves’ to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp
Ramsdale (left) did little wrong before dropping out and is unhappy with being number 2
Mail Sport revealed on September 5 that Arteta was plotting a goalkeeper change, with the Gunners boss selecting Raya ahead of Ramsdale in his side’s next match against Everton.
Asked if he is concerned about losing his place in the England squad ahead of next summer’s European Championship due to a lack of action at Arsenal, Ramsdale said: ‘Yes, of course, it’s the first time I’ve found myself in find this situation.
‘The manager here (Gareth Southgate) is brilliant, he trusts the players he has worked with before, as we have seen in different ways – you will see that Kalvin (Phillips) and Harry (Maguire) have not played the most minutes, but when they go to England and get the chance, they perform.
“So if that’s the case for me and I get the confidence to play another game when I haven’t played for my club, then I’ll have to pay him back.
‘But of course I want to get back into my club team. “I want to get into my club team and give the manager a headache, rather than Jordan (Pickford) being England’s number one and me being left out.”