How this player put Arteta in a difficult situation

Former Arsenal star, Paul Merson has hit out at the club goalkeeper David Raya for putting manager Mikel Arteta in a tough situation after his mistake in the Gunners’ Premier League 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.

Raya was again at fault when he flapped at Joe Willock’s cross which led to Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal for the Magpies last weekend.

After the game, Arteta who was furious during his post-match interview said it was embarrassing that Gordon’s goal which had been subject to three different VAR checks was allowed to stand.

However, Merson has now put the blame on Raya for failing to catch Willock’s cross.

“Mikel Arteta has gone mad at the end of the day his goalkeeper has sold him up the river.The goalkeeper should catch that every day of the week,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“If you see his position he’s two yards in front of the front post when he crosses the ball. Any other day of the week a goalie comes out, catches that and throws it out to his full-back.

“It’s just covered over, it is unbelievable.

“If you watch his positional play, I’m not a goalkeeper but I played with two of the best you will ever see in David Seaman and Peter Schmeichel the positional play there was unbelievable.

“It was not even a great cross it was middle of the goal.”