David Raya was notably absent from Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Girona, and questions loom over his availability for the upcoming Premier League showdown with Manchester City.
Neto stepped in as goalkeeper for the Gunners’ trip to Spain, where they secured their spot in the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win.
Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports before the match, attributed Raya’s absence to fitness issues: “Yeah, he’s not fit,” Arteta confirmed. “Apart from that, if there is a player who deserves a chance then it’s Neto.”
Post-match, Arteta reiterated the situation: “He (Raya) certainly could not play, he is injured and that is it.”
Since his transfer from Brentford last summer, Raya has become an integral part of Arsenal‘s defence.
His potential absence against City is a cause for concern, given the stakes of the game. Despite Neto’s misjudgment leading to Girona’s opening goal by ex-Bournemouth star Arnaut Danjuma, Arsenal rallied back with goals from Jorginho and the standout Ethan Nwaneri, ensuring Neto’s error did not prove costly as they advanced to the next round.
With Arsenal‘s spot in the knockout rounds of the Champions League now secure, Arteta can focus on the Premier League, determined to close a six-point gap with leaders Liverpool.
With one less game played than Arsenal, the Gunners are keenly aware of the uphill task ahead to overhaul the Merseyside giants.
Arteta kept mum when quizzed on goalkeeper Raya’s condition but confirmed the player’s absence as injury-related: “[Raya] certainly could not play, he’s injured. Let’s see how he improves.”
Neto donned the Arsenal kit for the first time since his summer loan switch, he may need to step up again, starting with this weekend’s intense clash against City at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta also praised the on-loan Bournemouth goalkeeper’s perseverance, adding: “I am very happy he played first of all. It’s been seven months.”
This article first appeared on The Mirror.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk