David Raya says Arsenal fans can expect more scares from playing out from the back as he is still getting used to Arsenal’s new methods.
Since joining on loan from Brentford, Raya has gone straight into the Arsenal first team replacing Aaron Ramsdale. Raya has impressed in matches but was criticised in Arsenal’s win over Man City for being jittery when plating out from the back. Arteta is implementing this new method into Arsenal’s play but Raya admits it’ll take some time to get used to.
“It’s something I have internalised, but it’s also the coach’s orders,” Raya told The Athletic. “What he doesn’t want is for us to start hitting balls — we have to invite a player (opponent to press) to come out a little bit.
“I’m the free man, and once a striker or someone jumps me, that leaves a free man on the pitch, and we have to look for superiority. That’s the way the coach tells me to play.”
The Spaniard concedes that the method is a risk and can cause tension among supporters but is one that fans have no choice but to get used to in the modern era.
“The fans aren’t used to us goalkeepers having the ball for a long time and if they (the opponents) don’t press, you have to wait for the moment to pass the ball.
It’s a risk that we take, but I take the responsibility that if, one day, there’s a mistake I’ll raise my hand. There’s no way around it.
“I have taken an important step at club level,” he added. “I am at one of the most important clubs in the world, so that is an incentive and gives you pride, competing in the Champions League, which was one of my objectives.
“I had a few conversations with Mikel before making the signing because it was complicated, the financial issue and so on. He was one of the coaches I wanted to work with, his philosophy, how he has transformed Arsenal with the way he has played and it was very important to have him as a coach.”
Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening to play Chelsea in the Premier League at 5:30pm – Sky Sports
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