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Mikel Arteta responds to David Raya criticism with verdict on potentially dropping Arsenal goalkeeper

Mikel Arteta responds to David Raya criticism with verdict on potentially dropping Arsenal goalkeeper

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed concerns that David Raya is suffering from a crisis of confidence.

Raya has come under scrutiny for his performances lately, with the goalkeeper lobbed by Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

Arteta has insisted he will not drop players based on errors and Raya is expected to keep his place for Tuesday’s game against Sevilla.

The Spaniard is in the spotlight after taking Aaron Ramsdale’s place as Arsenal’s No1 following his summer move from Brentford.

But when asked if Raya is suffering with the spotlight, Arteta said: “I haven’t seen that. If I am fair, I haven’t seen that at all.

“That’s the pressure of playing in big clubs where you have to win and you have to be at your best, and you have someone next to you who is pushing you every single day.

“If we go player, by player, position by position, you will tell me what’s happening at left-back, what happens with the holding-midfielder.

“You asked Jorginho a question already and Gabriel Jesus is here, there’s another question on that. That’s the debate.

“That’s the beauty of the game as well. The fact that you have other options as well is going to make those talks more frequent.”

Raya has had some shaky moments in recent weeks and came under fire for his performance against Manchester City too.

Arteta, however, has suggested he will not drop players just because they make an error.

“It depends where that is coming from,” he said. “Someone from football, when errors are part of football and mistakes happen, from defenders, from strikers and from goalkeepers for sure. For sure not [realistic to expect a change every time].”