Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has had his say on Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of him in the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup loss
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has insisted he was not frustrated by Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of him for their last two matches.
Arrizabalaga has been heavily criticised after his mistake in the recent Carabao Cup final led to Manchester City’s first goal. The Gunners lost that match 2-0 to extend their wait for a first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.
Arsenal’s second-choice keeper then started again in a heavily-rotated side for Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup exit at Championship side Southampton. While the 31-year-old was not directly at fault for any of the goals, many have questioned why Arteta did not start his best players – including Raya.
And the Gunners’ No.1 has spoken about Arteta’s decision during the club’s pre-match press conference for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Sporting.
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He said: “Its 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 former Brentford shot-stopper was also asked what conversations had taken place with Arrizabalaga after a difficult few weeks for his compatriot.
The 30-year-old said: “After the Man City game, we went away, 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.”
Arsenal must now recover quickly from their dismal results in recent weeks. The Gunners face Sporting across two legs in the Champions League quarter-finals, with a clash against Bournemouth in between before a potential Premier League title decider at City on April 19.
He added: “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.”
