Mikel Arteta entered the stage with energy and resolve. He carried confidence. He looked every inch the leader and greeted journalists with firm greeting and steady gaze. He prepared to defend his team’s decisions openly. He began: “David Raya is the most attacking goalkeeper,” he asserted boldly. He praised courage, technique, and ambition.He explained: “Raya pushes high, plays like a sweeper, starts attacks from deep.
He shapes how we approach every match.” Arteta described how Raya’s passing range transforms Arsenal’s build-up. He said that distribution adds pace and unpredictability.He revealed Raya’s age and origin. The Spanish keeper, aged around thirty, blends experience with fearless forward thinking. Arteta compared Raya to modern keepers. He named him daring, innovative, and pivotal in our style and identity.He acknowledged risks in this approach. He said mistakes might happen. But he trusts his keeper and defense completely.
He then shifted to the recent game. He addressed Everton’s weaknesses and struggles during the match directly. He stated Everton’s defensive shape cracked under pressure. Center-backs failed to adjust. Gaps opened frequently on flanks.He claimed Everton’s midfield lacked cohesion. They lost possession easily. They suffered when forced to defend deep under transition. He attacked their attacking decisions. Everton’s forwards ran prematurely, misread runs, and wasted possession in final third.He highlighted passing errors.
Everton miscontrolled simple balls, especially under pressing, which Arsenal punished repeatedly with counter moves. He mentioned full-back overloads. Everton’s wide defenders drifted too narrow. That exposure allowed Arsenal flanks to flood wide zones.He pointed to lapses of concentration. Everton’s backward passes and marking switched off at dangerous moments. That yielded critical space.He asserted Everton’s physical play lacked consistency. They struggled in duels. Arsenal often won second balls decisively in midfield zones.
He juxtaposed that with Raya’s calm under pressure. He said that the keeper’s composure allowed Arsenal to reset confidently after threats. He praised defensive support. He said defenders adjusted runs for Raya, covered behind, communicated constantly during matches with him.He underscored training work. He said keeper and defenders practice stepping out, sweeping, and recovering. He emphasized collaboration and timing.He noted: “We defend as a unit, not individuals.” He lauded his backline for embracing risk when Raya ventures forward.He cautioned about balancing attack and solidity. He admitted overcommitment could invite danger.
But he believed in his system.He reaffirmed trust in Raya. He promised full support, growth, and refinement. He insisted Raya’s style fits Arsenal’s future.He urged fans to embrace this bold philosophy. He said excitement, courage, and identity must define how Arsenal play.He concluded with strength. He vowed resilience. He pledged adaptation and improvement as the season unfolds under this daring keeper strategy.
