Mikel Arteta

Arsenal Survive Luton Scare: Arteta Stands by Raya Amid Defensive Lapses

6 December, 2023

In a gripping match against Luton Town, Arsenal emerged victorious in a 4-3 win despite a turbulent performance by goalkeeper David Raya. The game witnessed swift turnarounds, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.

Raya’s errors almost cost Arsenal dearly as Luton scored twice in just eight minutes, capitalizing on the goalkeeper’s mistakes. The Spaniard, stepping in for Aaron Ramsdale, found himself caught out of position during a 49th-minute corner, allowing Elijah Adebayo to level the score 2-2. Subsequently, a Ross Barkley shot saw Raya’s dive miss the mark, putting the hosts in the lead momentarily. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

Manager Mikel Arteta, however, refused to point fingers, emphasising the collective responsibility of the team. He stated, “We have to defend better the situations as a team. There are certain things leading to the goals and it’s not about blaming, we have never done it, and we’re not going to do it now.”

Arteta praised his team’s resilience, focusing on their spirited response to the challenging situation. “We don’t want a draw, we want to win! That drive, that energy, that risk and emotion that we put in the pitch, you can sense it,” he expressed.

The victory came in dramatic fashion, with Kai Havertz equalizing and Declan Rice sealing the win in the seventh minute of added time, securing Arsenal a five-point lead.

Despite the triumph, Arteta lamented the injury setback suffered by Takehiro Tomiyasu, revealing, “We had a scan, and it’s not good news. He’s got an injury in his calf, and he’s going to be out for a while.”

Arsenal’s win at Kenilworth Road marks their first victory at the ground since 1984, but the defensive lapses and Tomiyasu’s injury remain concerns for the team moving forward. Arteta’s unwavering support for Raya and emphasis on the team’s collective responsibility signal the determination to address these challenges as they prepare for future fixtures. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports