Arsenal fans baffled by David Raya’s bizarre penalty technique as keeper goes wrong way EVERY TIME in Man Utd loss
ARSENAL fans could not believe David Raya’s bizarre penalty technique.
And it didn’t help that he went the wrong way for all five Manchester United penalties.
After a blockbuster, ferocious 1-1 draw, the mammoth FA Cup third-round clash between the two giants had to be decided in a shootout.
Kai Havertz was the only man to miss as Joshua Zirzkee fired in the all-important fifth spot-kick for United to book their place in round four against Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester.
The Dutch striker revelled in his moment in the spotlight while United’s back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir produced the heroics to be named man of the match – denying Havertz after saving from Martin Odegaard during normal time.
However, as the United fans celebrated their victory, plenty of Arsenal supporters were lamenting their own goalkeeper’s efforts.
Raya, 29, managed to dive the wrong way for Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Zirkzee.
But not only did he manage a far-from-impressive zero per cent guessing success rate, it was the way he leapt across that confused his supporters.
Raya seemingly made his mind up early.
But he appeared to take a couple of shuffling side-steps across his goalline before performing a giant dive, landing all the way over by the post on some of the penalties.
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For Yoro’s, for instance, he had already done the steps and started pushing off before the defender kicked the ball, enabling the Frenchman to whip it into the opposite corner with Raya helpless.
And it sparked a wave of comments from viewers who noticed it on social media – including calling it “hilarious” and a “disgrace”.
One said: “Where is Raya going?”
Another wrote: “Why was Raya diving so early on some of them btw?”
A third added: “What is actually wrong with David Raya? It’s like when you move the keeper on FIFA.”
A United fan joked: “Thank you Raya. you are a good dude.”
Arsenal ratings vs Man Utd as Martinelli looks lively but wasteful Havertz costs Gunners another trophy chance
KAI HAVERTZ missed two sitters and a penalty in the shoot-out as Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup.
The Gunners huffed and puffed but failed to find a winner, even after extra-time, against Manchester United’s 10 men.
And it all went wrong in the penalty shootout as Altay Bayindir saved Havertz’s effort.
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Arsenal stars…
DAVID RAYA – 6
Could do nothing about United’s goal and produced a stellar stop to deny Zirkzee in extra-time.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Very effective on the overlap and worked well being fed by Odegaard.
Tested a couple of times by Alejandro Garnacho who proved a problem on the counter-attack.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Dealt with Hojlund well although the striker did not pose much of a threat.
GABRIEL – 6
Terrible error to lose possession to Alejandro Garnacho who was put through on goal and set up Bruno Fernandes to score.
Made amends with a brilliant finish Bukayo Saka would have been proud of.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 5
A quiet game at left-back, probably should have got forward more particularly after United went down to ten men and had Garnacho filling in at right-back.
JORGINHO – 5
Kept things ticking over in the middle and was always an outlet for his team-mates.
MIKEL MERINO – 4
Anonymous in the middle. Difficult to see what he brings to this Arsenal side.
Missed a good chance to put his side ahead moments after the equaliser and was taken off shortly after that.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
A pleasure to watch. Made everything happen, his ability to turn on the ball in the middle of the park created opportunities time after time.
But he missed the chance to win the game from the penalty spot.
GABRIEL JESUS – 6
Lovely pass to break the lines and put through Martinelli, who found the back of the net but was offside.
Fell awkwardly when defending a cross in the first half and was carried off on a stretcher.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Was the main attacking threat in the first half with his direct style causing the visitors all sorts of problems.
Produced good movement and a finish to match but his goal was disallowed for offside.
KAI HAVERTZ – 3
Won the penalty after a deft touch past Maguire.
But he missed two sitters including one just three minutes from time to win the match, and his penalty miss proved decisive in the shoot-out.
SUBSTITUTES
Raheem Sterling (for Jesus, 40mins) – 6
Looked sharp when he got the ball and did well in the build-up to Havertz winning the penalty.
Declan Rice (for Merino, 73mins) – 6
Almost scored with what might have been his first touch but his header was brilliantly saved.
Should have grabbed the winner in the dying moments but his low effort was again superbly matched by Bayindir.
Leandro Trossard (for Lewis-Skelly, extra-time) – 5
Will wonder how he didn’t score after Matthijs de Ligt produced a goalline clearance to deny him.
Blazed over with an effort from just outside the box.
Thomas Partey (for Timber, 101mins) – 5
Put in a few good crosses. Came close to a winner with an effort that was deflected narrowly over the bar.
Kieran Tierney (for Jorginho, 113mins) –
His arrival onto the pitch was greeted with a big cheer but he did not have much time to impact the match.
A fifth replied: “Nearly every one of his attempted saves looked like something out of a comic book. Awful.”
A sixth noted: “Raya really dived the wrong way on 5/5 pens, hands down the worst keeper for pens.”
A seventh quipped: “Raya dives before the player even puts the ball down.”
An eighth tweeted: “Raya diving in this video is like when you click the wrong button when you are playing a game of FIFA.”
A ninth moaned: “Raya diving a second before the penalty is taken is not the approved method.”
And a final user reacted: “Raya is jumping out of the way?”