Oliver Glasner has revealed that Crystal Palace targeted David Raya’s positioning during their 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
Arsenal took the lead twice on the Emirates Stadium through Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard but Palace pulled level with goals from Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
William Saliba gave the ball away within the build-up to Mateta’s goal within the 83rd minute however the Palace striker still needed an excellent chipped effort to beat Raya, who was caught out of his goal.
Arsenal’s draw means Liverpool will now be crowned Premier League champions in the event that they secure not less than a degree at home to Tottenham on Sunday.
Speaking after the sport, Glasner revealed that Raya’s tendency to return far off his line was highlighted to his Palace players of their pre-match preparations against Arsenal.
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‘We showed the players yesterday after we were preparing the opponent, we showed them that David Raya is high [off his line],’ Glasner said.
‘It was the third time [in the match] we had this case – the primary one Justin Devenny didn’t recognise it, so we forgot it.
‘Adam Wharton had the kick in the primary half where he hit Thomas Partey and this could have been quite dangerous. After which we got the third opportunity and JP [Mateta] had this amazing finish.’
Analysing Mateta’s goal, former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher felt Raya was at fault for not getting back into position.
‘We’re going to see this increasingly more where goalkeepers should not just good on the ball but in case you see, Raya is an element of the back 4, that’s high-quality,’ Carragher said.
‘Where I do have an issue with David Raya, as soon as Odegaard takes up the position as one other centre-back, I just think you may have to get back in your goal.
‘And perhaps it’s the thing of, ‘we’re winning 2-1’, a bit bit more lax than it will have been. As soon as Saliba plays it he doesn’t have to be there.
‘And it’s a multitude from Saliba, and it’s been a few times now. He was good on the Bernabeu but he lost his focus [for Real Madrid’s goal]. And that is totally outstanding [from Mateta].’
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