…..and why I hate Raya making saves
Last season, I remember remarking that I could play in goal for Arsenal, that it wasn’t fair on Ramsdale that Raya was able to look good in goal, because the pairing of Saliba and Gabriel, and the effective the covering in front of them by almost everyone was making it an easy ride. His role was reduced ti the occassional ctach, fielding back p[asses and passing out and kicking long. Any keeper would look good and keep celan sheets with that defence. At the end of the season, in the list of top keeoers based on saves made, Raya was nowhere to be seen. He didn’t need to make saves.
And I liked it like that.
A few years before, we used to concede too many chances. But the new defensive partnership and the work-rate of those in front of them made us look impregnable at the back.
Not so this season. OK, Watkins didn’t have the greatest game last week, but Raya must already be a contender for ‘Save of the Season’ after his performance at Villa Park. And in the three matches so far this season, Raya’s had to make more saves than he made last season in total (or so it feels). What’s gone wrong? Have the players returning from the international tounaments the summer not fully recovered? Or is there a subtle change in tactics that’s not yet quite coming off?
Notwithstanding the impact of Rice’s sending off, and our opponents’ constantly dragging back our players when they are advancing to join the attack (Havertz and Saka most often) that’s going on off the ball, unnoticed or unpunished, we just don’t look as secure as last season. And opposing players with close ball control are scuttling through our midfield and around our defensive lines, while possession is being surrendered and endangering the whole team. Indeed, trying to reclaim a lost passwith a lunging last-gasp tackle led to Rice’s first booking against Brighton – and how fatal did that turn out to be!
Early days, and we’re a point up on matches vs Brighton and Villa from last year, but hopefully the influx of new players isn’t going to disrupt the smooth machine that so nearly won us the title last time around.
The only positive thought (aside from gaining a point when we might easily have lost) is that early in the Invincibles season, we scraped a home draw against Portsmouth (Robert Pires and a late penalty), so perhaps this is a good omen for the months ahead!
Richard Smith August 31 2024