David Raya Blames Ball in Excuse for Szoboszlai’s Wonder Goal

David Raya blames ball after failing to stop Szoboszlai’s free-kick. Arsenal keeper sparks debate with post-match excuse.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya sparked debate after blaming the new Puma match ball for his failure to stop Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick in Arsenal’s 1–0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. David Raya blames to the ball quickly gained traction as fans and pundits reacted to his unusual post-match comments.

With just under ten minutes remaining, Szoboszlai unleashed a curling rocket from 32 yards that soared into the top-left corner. Raya stood frozen as the ball flew past him—a moment hailed as one of the best goals of the season so far.

Raya acknowledged the brilliance of the strike, saying:

“I think it’s a hell of a strike.”

But his explanation didn’t stop there.

Raya Points to the Ball

Speaking to Sky Sports, Raya claimed the new Puma ball introduced this season behaved unpredictably:

“I remember the ball moving a lot and moving away from me. It’s a very good strike, especially with the new balls and everything. We still have to adapt.”

He added that the grip and flight of the Puma ball differ significantly from the Nike ball used in previous seasons:

“The grip is different, the kick is different. We just have to adapt after playing with the Nike ball for many years. It’s the same for everybody.”

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Arteta Defends His Keeper

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta backed Raya’s comments, suggesting the ball’s flight characteristics may have contributed to missed chances and defensive misjudgments:

“These balls fly a lot,” Arteta said. “There are details we can do better, but it’s tricky.”

Szoboszlai, however, dismissed the idea that the ball played a role. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he said:

“I practiced this shot for a long time and then it looks like that. I just practiced my whole life.”

His response emphasized preparation over excuses.

Liverpool’s win keeps them top of the Premier League table heading into the international break. Arsenal, meanwhile, must regroup and reflect—not just on tactics, but on how they respond to setbacks.

The David Raya blames ball storyline may not convince everyone, but it highlights the challenges players face when adapting to new equipment. Whether it’s a valid excuse or a deflection, one thing’s clear: Szoboszlai’s strike was unstoppable.

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