Pundit disagrees with Mikel Arteta, says £27m Arsenal player should have done better vs Porto

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Alan Brazil has claimed that Mikel Arteta is wrong not to blame David Raya for Galeno’s goal as Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Porto.

The 64-year-old made the comments when speaking on talkSPORT breakfast.

So, what did Alan Brazil say about Arsenal No.22 David Raya? Let’s take a look…

Alan Brazil criticises David Raya

Well, the Glaswegian felt the Spaniard could have done better with Porto’s 93rd minute winner, specifically in regards to the glovesman’s positioning.

Brazil said: “He’s got to move his feet. If he takes a step back he gets that all day long. He (Mikel Arteta) says he doesn’t blame keeper but I am sorry, I am. I am blaming a lack of closing. For me the keeper has got to be better.”

Raya was defended by Arteta as the 41-year-old underwent his media duties after the match.

The Arsenal boss said: “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 is spot on – there were a number of mishaps from Arsenal well before Galeno even took a shot at Raya’s goal.

Arsenal made to pay for stoppage time sloppiness

While Raya might have done better with Galeno’s effort on another day, the £27m man was undoubtedly let down by his teammates.

Firstly, Gabriel Martinelli’s wild long ball in the 93rd minute directly led to Porto starting an attack – the Brazil international is experienced enough to know better in terms of game management.

Declan Rice could have also done better in regards to closing down Galeno.

Football is a team game, and while Raya will find himself under the spotlight due to the Brazilian’s late winner, there were a number of mistakes in the build up which could have easily been avoided.