Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has revealed that Gunners manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in the EFL Cup final loss should be respected.
Last month, the Gunners failed to maintain their quadruple charge after crashing to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium. Arteta’s side conceded two second half goals in the clash, with Kepa facing flak for making an error before the opening goal.
Thanks for the submission!
After the end of the recent international break, Arsenal returned to action on April 4 and slumped to a second successive defeat. They were knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals after losing 2-1 to EFL Championship team Southampton, with Kepa again starting between the sticks.
During a recent press conference, Raya was asked to offer his honest thoughts on Kepa starting the Gunners’ last two losses, including the EFL Cup final defeat. The Spaniard replied (h/t Metro):
“It’s part of football. Sometimes you get picked, sometimes you don’t. You have to be there for your teammates, and for Kepa in this example. The boss decides who plays and who doesn’t and we are used to those types of decisions.”
The 30-year-old Arsenal starting goalkeeper continued:
“After the Manchester City game, we went away (for international duty), he stayed here. After Southampton, there is not much you can say. The team understands the standards that we set, so there are no conversations. You are just trying to be a good teammate like we are.”
David Raya believes Arsenal are well prepared to take on Primeira Liga side Sporting CP
When asked to remark on Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg contest against Sporting CP at Estadio Jose Alvalade this Tuesday (April 7), David Raya responded:
“I think every game is an opportunity and the next game is tomorrow. There will be talk about the two losses but we have to see it as an opportunity to see what we are and it is a massive one tomorrow but this team is up for it.”
Hinting that Sporting are worthy opponents, Raya added:
“Every moment of a team is different, obviously (Sporting) are in a high moment, especially the way they got into the quarter-finals and the games they played, for example, here against Paris or the recent form in the (Portuguese) league.”
Sporting, who beat Bodo/Glimt 5-3 on aggregate in the Champions League last-16 stage, have won 13 and lost just once in their past 16 games. Their only loss came against Bodo/Glimt in the form of a 3-0 away defeat.
Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee
