David Raya has been mocked by fans for a 'big mistake' against Brentford, but the Arsenal goalkeeper immediately made up for it with a fantastic goal-line save.
Arsenal were 1-0 down after 28 minutes when Keane Lewis-Potter tried his luck for Brentford.
It should have been a routine stop for Raya, but he let the ball slip through his fingers and it almost ended up in the net.
Somehow the Spaniard made an acrobatic back dive and clawed the ball away in the air above the goal line – and within a minute Gabriel Jesus had scored at the other end to cancel out Bryan Mbeumo's opener.
Raya had righted the mistake and put the Gunners on course for their goal, but social media users reacted critically.
'Why is he shaky today? Is it because he's playing against his former team?' wrote one user on X.
“Raya clears the ball off the line after his own big mistake,” said another.
“Clearing the goal line makes him look like a hero,” another commented.
'Goal line clearance due to his own initial mistake. I wouldn't make this so big lmao,” said another.
One said: 'That's why this man has no competition,' while another said: 'I miss (Aaron) Ramsdale.'
In the second half, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli both scored in the space of three minutes to give Arsenal a 3–1 lead and give them a crucial victory.
Arsenal have the best defensive record in the Premier League, having scored 17 goals alongside Liverpool.
Only Chelsea's Robert Sanchez has a better save percentage in the league than Raya.
Earlier this season he was widely praised for a sensational double-save against Atalanta in the Champions League.
First he saved Mario Retegui's penalty in the corner and moments later he pulled himself halfway into the goal to deny the follow-up header.
“I have to say that's one of the best saves I've ever seen, the second one,” TNT Sports co-commentator Steve McManaman said.
'That's incredible! How he gets up so quickly. Wow! One of the best rescues I've ever seen!'
Comments