Raya blames new Prem BALL for Szoboszlai stunner as he echoes boss Arteta's moans

ARSENAL goalkeeper David Raya blamed the Premier League BALL after seeing Dominik Szoboszlai's free-kick fly past him.

The 29-year-old Spaniard could not stop the Liverpool star's stunning 30-yard winner at Anfield.

4 David Raya could not save Arsenal at Anfield Credit: Getty

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And after dropping three points he bemoaned this season’s switch from a Nike ball to a Puma one.

And the complaint echoed moans from Gunners manager Mikel Arteta who also stuck the boot into the ball after January’s League Cup loss to Newcastle.

Deflated Raya said: “It's different to the Nike ball so we have to adapt to it.

“The grip is different, the kick is different.

“We just have to adapt after playing with the Nike ball for many years. It's the same for everybody.

"We wanted to go forward to attack them, to keep them quiet in the first half.

“We showed a lot of character to keep Liverpool quiet. You have to take the positives from it. It's fine margins and a magical moment from them.

"We haven't been beaten from the top six clubs in many games. There are a lot of steps forward to take and learn in every single aspect. There's always things you have to learn."

There were only seven minutes left when Raya was beaten by the midfielder’s hopeful strike from distance.

And he just has to hope he has adapted to the new equipment in time for the next Arsenal match, following the international break.

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4 Puma is producing the new Premier League match ball Credit: Puma

ARSENAL suffered late heartache away at Anfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai produced a stunning 32-yard free-kick seven minutes from time to grab the only goal of the game.

The 1-0 result could have major ramifications on the title race come May.

But despite the defeat, how did Mikel Arteta's men get on?

CLICK HERE TO READ SUNSPORT'S JORDAN DAVIES' ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS

He added: “I'm disappointed not to save it. Like every goal you concede.

“I think it's a hell of a strike. I remember the ball moving a lot and moving away from me. Hopefully, the next one I can save.

"It's a very good strike especially with the new balls and everything.

"We still have to adapt. It's going away from me so it's harder to gauge and save it."

The grip is different, the kick is different.

Arteta was unimpressed with the Puma balls at the start of the year when the Toon beat his side 2-0.

The Spanish boss complained: “We also kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it's tricky that these balls fly a lot so there’s details that we can do better.

"It’s just different. Very different to a Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently.

“When you touch it the grip is very different as well so you adapt to that."

ARSENAL never looked like scoring in their cagey 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Here is SunSport Arsenal correspondent Charlie Wyett's verdict...

ARTETA HAS TO TAKE MUCH OF THE BLAME

If Mikel Arteta is to lead Arsenal to the title, he has to be braver when his team is in a strong position.

The  coach left it too late to make his changes, bringing on Eberechi Eze and Odegaard in the 70th minute when Liverpool were taking a grip.

Six points out of nine is not bad but Arsenal have difficult games coming up against Newcastle and Manchester City.

Gunners were unbeaten in their previous 22 matches against the Big Six. That impressive run stretched back to a defeat at Manchester City in April 2023. Importantly, none of their victories came away at arch rivals Liverpool and City.

The last time Arsenal won at Anfield was in 2012 at the start of the Brendan Rodgers era — with Arteta playing that day.

MERINO LOVES AN ANFIELD SCRAP  — BUT THERE’S NOT ENOUGH CREATIVITY IN MIDFIELD

Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino was a surprise starter, with Gabriel Martinelli the other change from the 5-0 win over Leeds.

Last term Merino scored in both the home and away matches, while he also got a second yellow card at Anfield.

He did his best to unsettle the home defence, particularly at corners, even though teammate Declan Rice failed to cause any problems from the set-pieces.

Players have been warned  there will be a clampdown on wrestling between players. But Kop midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was involved in a skirmish with Merino, although a VAR check offered nothing.

Merino should then have been given a booking for throwing himself to the ground theatrically to try to get a pen following another wayward Rice corner.

And despite annoying Liverpool at set-pieces, Merino was unable to unlock the home defence with Noni Madueke Arsenal’s most effective forward by some distance.

Marquee signing Viktor Gyokeres, like in the first game at Manchester United, was once again feeding off scraps.

GUNNERS’ INJURY NIGHTMARE — WILL IT EVER END?

New season, same old story for Arsenal’s medical staff, who certainly earn their dosh. You have to wonder what boss Mikel Arteta does to his side in training.

Arsenal went into this game with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Christian Norgaard all sidelined, while Gabriel Jesus is a long-term absentee.

Captain Martin Odegaard was only fit enough for the bench.

There were under four minutes on the clock when William Saliba fell to the ground after a challenge with Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike.

Cristhian Mosquera — a £13million arrival from Valencia — was quickly stripped and ready.

At Leeds the previous week, he made his Premier League debut because Jurrien Timber is having his minutes managed as he returns from injury.

And he delivered a solid, encouraging performance.