Crystal Palace capitalized on a key tactical weak spot in Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya’s positioning throughout their 2-2 draw on the Emirates on Wednesday evening. Regardless of Arsenal taking the lead twice, first by way of Jakub Kiwior and later Leandro Trossard, Palace pulled stage every time, with Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta netting for the guests.
Mateta’s gorgeous equalizer within the 83rd minute got here after a giveaway by Arsenal’s William Saliba. The Palace striker managed an excellent chipped effort that caught Raya out of place, because the goalkeeper was removed from his line. This second of vulnerability was the results of a pre-match technique from Palace, as supervisor Oliver Glasner revealed.
“We confirmed the gamers in our preparations that David Raya tends to play excessive off his line,” Glasner defined after the match. “It was the third time we noticed this case in the course of the recreation – the primary time, Justin Devenny missed it, and we didn’t capitalize. However the third time, Mateta took his likelihood completely.”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher weighed in on the aim, stating that Raya’s failure to retreat to his aim left Arsenal uncovered. “Raya is a part of the again 4 when essential, however as quickly as Martin Ødegaard drops right into a centre-back function, Raya must get again in his aim. There’s no want for him to be that far off his line at that second, and it value Arsenal,” Carragher mentioned.
The match’s final result additionally had broader implications for the Premier League title race. Arsenal’s draw means Liverpool will probably be topped champions in the event that they earn not less than a degree of their upcoming match towards Tottenham.
Regardless of the frustration for Arsenal, the sport showcased the rising tactical consciousness of their opponents, with Palace absolutely exploiting Raya’s positioning flaw.
