Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts to David Raya’s “unbelievable” save in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that he thought Ollie Watkins‘s header was in before David Raya‘s “unbelievable” save in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
Following a goalless first half in Saturday’s Premier League affair, Unai Emery‘s side would ostensibly breach the Arsenal backline when Amadou Onana‘s deflected shot looped over Raya’s outstretched arm and bounced back into the box off the bar.
While the Arsenal defence switched off, Villa talisman Watkins did not, as the England international pounced and sent a diving header towards goal, with Raya still on the ground after diving to reach Onana’s attempt.
However, Watkins failed to get enough power on his header, nor direct it into the corner, allowing Raya to spring back up and incredibly palm the ball away from goal with a magnificent reaction save.
After the Spaniard got his players out of jail, Arsenal reacted to that wake-up call and broke Villa’s resistance through substitute Leandro Trossard, before Thomas Partey‘s effort from outside the box squirmed through Emiliano Martinez‘s gloves.
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Arteta lauds Raya’s “unbelievable” Watkins stop
By gaining revenge on the only team to do the double over them last season, Arsenal have already positioned themselves in the top three of the table, only behind reigning champions Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City.
Raya himself claimed that the Watkins stop was not his “best save”, but Arteta could only wax lyrical about the 28-year-old’s astounding reactions in his post-match press conference.
“When we had to rely on certain individuals we did, like the situation of David that is an unbelievable save. I thought it was a goal,” football.london quotes Arteta as saying.
“I saw the reaction of the defensive line which was none because the ball goes on the crossbar and we’re all watching the ball and I went ‘no please.’ Then I see the striker in that position and normally it’s a goal. David’s reaction is unbelievable.”
While Arsenal were all smiles at full time, Arteta was dealt another unfortunate injury blow over luckless striker Gabriel Jesus before the game, as the Brazilian was absent from the matchday squad due to a fresh groin problem.
Arteta provides Jesus injury update and discusses Eddie Nketiah situation
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Arteta is not sure how severe Jesus’s latest issue is, but he confirmed that the striker would be sent for a scan next week, adding: “Unfortunately on Thursday in the training session, just at the end he felt something in his groin.
“We’ll need to assess him. We need to have an MRI scan to see, but he wasn’t available for the game. We have to see. Probably tomorrow or Monday we’ll have the results to see if it’s a matter of days or weeks. We don’t know.”
With Jesus sidelined, Eddie Nketiah was among the substitutes despite rumours that he is close to a £30m move to Nottingham Forest, and Arteta still believes that the Englishman wants to stay at the Emirates.
“At the moment, Eddie is our player. He’s very committed to us. Regardless of the noise, he’s here and he wants to be here with us. He’s really happy that we won the game,” Arteta added.
Arsenal are back at the Emirates next Saturday, when they will put their 100% record on the line against fellow perfect side Brighton in the lunchtime kickoff.
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