Jamie Carragher has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal’s David Raya, insisting that goalkeepers should be banned from making risky passes to midfielders after his blunder during Wednesday’s defeat against Newcastle United.
The Gunners were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle following a 4-0 aggregate loss in the semi-finals, missing out on a trip to Wembley and looking outclassed at St James’ Park.
Despite holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg, Newcastle fans may have had concerns about Arsenal overturning their advantage in search of much-needed silverware.
However, those fears were allayed as the Magpies dominated the match on Tyneside. Jacob Murphy put Newcastle ahead in the first half, netting a rebound off the post after impressive play from Alexander Isak.
The home side continued to press for another goal, even with the lead, while Arsenal’s defence appeared increasingly unsteady, highlighted by Raya’s error leading to the second goal.
Attempting to play from the back, Raya passed directly to Declan Rice, who was immediately pressured by Newcastle’s high press. Rice lost the ball to Fabian Schar’s tenacious tackle, setting up Anthony Gordon for an easy finish.
Carragher condemned Raya’s choice on X, writing: “Keepers need to be banned from playing those passes into midfield players.”
Gary Neville also criticised Arsenal’s defenders Gabriel and William Saliba, accusing them of being left “on toast” by Isak’s performance.
“It’s all about Isak. He is messing the Arsenal centre-backs about. Look at him against Saliba; he [Saliba] thinks he has got in front, and he pops it round the corner,” Neville stated.
“What a strike it is, and a piece of good fortune because the pass isn’t into him, and it then falls to Murphy. But he has Gabriel and Saliba on toast.”
After full-time, Arteta admitted the defeat was a painful one amid the risk of yet another trophy-less season at the Emirates Stadium.
He said: “Physically, we were tired. We have played so many games. Emotionally, as well, it was a very different game to believe right there in the end that we could do it.
“We had so many expectations to believe we could turn it around. The game started in the first action with the goal and it being denied. We had two moments, we didn’t capitalize and the game shifted.
“It’s a tough one. We knew the difficulty of the task from the [first leg] result in London. Now we have to look forward, first of all, it’s going to be a painful one. When we’re in Dubai, we recharge.”
This article originally appeared on Mirror Sport
