Paul Merson slams Arsenal star who ‘sold Mikel Arteta up the river’

Paul Merson was highly critical of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya (Picture: Sky Sports)

Paul Merson has accused Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya of selling Mikel Arteta ‘up the river’ following his mistake in last weekend’s defeat at Newcastle.

Arteta’s decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with the summer signing from Brentford has come under the microscope in recent week with the Spaniard having committed a number of high-profile errors.

Raya was again at fault last weekend when he flapped at Joe Willock’s cross which led to Anthony Gordon’s highly controversial winner.

Arteta launched into a furious post-match tirade claiming it was embarrassing that a goal which had been subject to three separate VAR checks was allowed to stands.

Arsenal subsequently backed their manager with a strongly worded statement that criticised the match officials, but Merson insists all the controversy could have been avoided had Raya done his job.

He told Sky Sports: ‘Mikel Arteta has gone mad at the end of the day his goalkeeper has sold him up the river.The goalkeeper should catch that every day of the week.

‘If you see his position he’s two yards in front of the front post when he crosses the ball. Any other day of the week a goalie comes out, catches that and throws it out to his full-back.

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‘It’s just covered over, it’s unbelievable.

‘If you watch his positional play, I’m not a goalkeeper but I played with two of the best you’ll ever see in David Seaman and Peter Schmeichel the positional play there was unbelievable.

‘It wasn’t even a great cross it was middle of the goal.’

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‘He sold him up the river’