Mikel Arteta inexplicably claimed David Raya was not at fault for two second-half Luton goals which gave Arsenal an almighty scare until Declan Rice's last-gasp winner.
With the Gunners 2-1 up, Raya flapped at Alfie Doughty's corner, allowing Elijah Adebayo to score.
And then eight minutes later, Ross Barkley had his strike go straight through the goalkeeper to put Luton 3-2 ahead.
But Arteta refused to condemn his No1 goalkeeper for the two errors.
He said: 'We have to defend better the situations as a team. There are certain things leading to the goals.
'And it is not about blaming him (Raya), we have never done it and we're not going to do it now. It is about how the team reacts to that because it's going to happen and I love that response.
'I think we can defend much better the goals, that's for sure.'
Arteta will not be on the touchline for this Saturday's match against Aston Villa after picking up a third yellow card for celebrating Rice's goal.
He added: 'Yeah (it was worth it), I could not be sitting on my seat, unfortunately. So I left there, I had no spatial awareness at all. It was just pure emotion. So if that's a yellow, OK it's a yellow.'
Luton manager Rob Edwards was left dejected but believes that his team can achieve 'something special'.
He said: 'Immeasurably proud of the lads but disappointed (with the loss) and really flat. I don't think that has ever happened to me, conceding that late to lose a game.
'For a newly-promoted team to be fighting like we are and to show that quality to get back in the game and get ahead, but ultimately we scored three goals and got nothing from it, so we have to keep improving.
'We have a belief in this group, I believe in this group and with the spirit and fight we are showing we hope we can achieve something special.'
Teeceptyz
2
They Must give Ramsdale Chance
pedbdeps
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That is why arteta is a bad coach
You don’t criticize your player in the media. You do that in the dressing room. Wise up
BanAllVisitors
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Strong points made in good and clear English. Love that💪🏽💪🏽🔥
Cheers mate💪🔥
Japcknstuz
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That is why arteta is a bad coach
Fubbdeoprt
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so thd hell is Arteta talking about its not rsya's fault for those two goals so whos fault is it then? the defenders?
Dotioboy1
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Ramsdale has command in the box where as Raya doesn’t. They are both good with their feet but I think Ramsdale is better. Shot stopper? I still think Ramsdale is better. And Ramsdale is younger. We should work with Ramsdale. Raya I don’t trust him
Strong points made in good and clear English. Love that💪🏽💪🏽🔥
BanAllVisitors
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Ramsdale has command in the box where as Raya doesn’t. They are both good with their feet but I think Ramsdale is better. Shot stopper? I still think Ramsdale is better. And Ramsdale is younger. We should work with Ramsdale. Raya I don’t trust him
Valid, except for foot work part. Starting Ramsdale instead of Raya for a run of games won't be a problem. If Ramsdale has a strong mind and Raya keeps making these mistakes, at some point, Arteta will change his goalkeeper. Arteta has proven he doesn't pick players based on price tags or any of those other nonsense, he's more meritocratic with his team selections than he's ever been given credit for so I trust him to make the right decisions going forward. Bringing up the fact that Ramsdale is younger is also a good point, he is hungry especially after being on the losing end of a title race last season and he is a great character. Whether it's at Arsenal or elsewhere, Ramsdale will silence his critics.
BanAllVisitors
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Bro, you ever played as a keeper? Do you realize that opponents able to take a shot on goal is defenders fault? How many times did Jesus miss the target? How many times rice shot a defender than getting a goal? How many saka cross did end up not going an arsenal player? How many times was the defense outplayed? How many times was the outfield player miss to mark a potential threat? You have those numbers? No, you just see 2 mistakes the keeper made. I'm not saying it's a good thing, just get behind your players. Everyone can have a bad day. Stop acting like raya wouldn't be able to save those another game. I like to see rambo in goal too, blaming raya isn't how it's supposed to be done.
Well said. It's way too easy to pick scapegoats and favourites nowadays. Everything is nuanced and biased.
BanAllVisitors
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Seriously Ramsdale made mistakes but the rate at which raya is making mistakes is so alarming. No two matches can pass without a mistake. When we will finally lose Ramsdale we will learn to appreciate him
Sounds like Ramsdale last season
BanAllVisitors
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arteta is right, it’s not raya’s fault, it’s arteta’s fault to still play him. raya has already more made more mistakes than ramsdale but keeps playing. 🤦♂️
Ramsdale makes just as many mistakes, it always was a coin toss as to who's better than who. Starting Ramsdale now won't be a problem.
BanAllVisitors
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Inexplicably? Arteta may say this in public, but he has probably already told Raya in person that he should have done much better in those situations. That's what pretty much all managers do.
Firedragon147
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Arteta need to stop over protecting the players when they make obvious mistakes, else they get complacent.
Bro, you ever played as a keeper? Do you realize that opponents able to take a shot on goal is defenders fault? How many times did Jesus miss the target? How many times rice shot a defender than getting a goal? How many saka cross did end up not going an arsenal player? How many times was the defense outplayed? How many times was the outfield player miss to mark a potential threat? You have those numbers? No, you just see 2 mistakes the keeper made. I'm not saying it's a good thing, just get behind your players. Everyone can have a bad day. Stop acting like raya wouldn't be able to save those another game. I like to see rambo in goal too, blaming raya isn't how it's supposed to be done.
GunnArs
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arteta is right, it’s not raya’s fault, it’s arteta’s fault to still play him. raya has already more made more mistakes than ramsdale but keeps playing. 🤦♂️
Firedragon147
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He is from what it looks, but if you guys ever played in goal, you'd know how many things you can't control goes wrong and looks like it was your mistake. Either way, arteta is highly respected by the players and the fans so he doesn't need to blab in the media. He sees the problem and takes care of it in the dressing room, unlike our previous manager and a certain other manager.
danoni31
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The manager is doing the right thing, you don't condem your players in public space, you can give them the stick in the dressing room when you are with them
thank you. Exactly what a good manager will do
danoni31
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RAYA is at fault on both goals ARTETTA must speak out dow protect dem wen u at fault simple its your fault
Arteta may admit Raya's error in the dressing room but not in front of the media camera. That is what a good manager will do
Moebloprtz
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RAYA is at fault on both goals ARTETTA must speak out dow protect dem wen u at fault simple its your fault
tenadnrtyz
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You must be a joke Arteta
He is not a joke, when you disrespect your player publicly you're damaging your dressing room gradually, defending him publicly thus not mean he will not correct him or complain about his poor show indoor.
Stevenong
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Both of you are a JOKE ! You will not win anything this season again !
Comaeorsu
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united fans where are you am expecting your comments listen to what the manager said but when it comes to united fans you started rubbish your manager i think you guys need to be wise because heaters want you downfall please united fans be wise stop talking like a fool
Dotioboy1
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Ramsdale has command in the box where as Raya doesn’t. They are both good with their feet but I think Ramsdale is better. Shot stopper? I still think Ramsdale is better. And Ramsdale is younger. We should work with Ramsdale. Raya I don’t trust him
malablata
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I can accept the third goal as Raya fault, not the second. We were robbed on the second goal, it was a fould from the Chinese Adebayor.
Dotioboy1
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Seriously Ramsdale made mistakes but the rate at which raya is making mistakes is so alarming. No two matches can pass without a mistake. When we will finally lose Ramsdale we will learn to appreciate him
ArsenalforeverRed
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I understand Arteta but the fact remains raya is not good
Zuhacdeinz
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Arteta need to stop over protecting the players when they make obvious mistakes, else they get complacent.
that's how good coach supposed to be,Arteta you're great 👍
Zemabceiot
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I have not trust him (Raya) since first day
mabbcry
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Arteta need to stop over protecting the players when they make obvious mistakes, else they get complacent.
The manager is doing the right thing, you don't condem your players in public space, you can give them the stick in the dressing room when you are with them
Lanryrichie3
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we all see the two last goal was his fault
romeo keytrix
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Arteta is right you can't go on condemning your players publicly. that will demoralize them. Remember Sancho and Ten hag situation
Jitcdelnu
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Maybe because he won eventually
galaukwu
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Arteta need to stop over protecting the players when they make obvious mistakes, else they get complacent.
zieblnuy
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You must be a joke Arteta