Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya managed to chuckle after receiving a yellow card for indulging in some “dark arts” during Spain’s recent Nations League win over Denmark. The 29-year-old has made a remarkable start to the season, seemingly securing his place as La Roja’s No. 1 over Unai Simon.
In a tightly contested match that ended 1-0 in favor of Spain, thanks to Martin Zubimendi’s late goal, Raya showcased another solid performance, keeping a clean sheet. However, it was his late booking for trying to run down the clock that brought a lighter moment to the proceedings.
Despite Arsenal facing scrutiny for their tactics this season, particularly at set pieces, Raya’s antics on the pitch have not gone unnoticed. Last month, the Gunners were labeled the biggest time-wasters in the Premier League, with Jamie Carragher suggesting that Raya exploits a loophole in the rules during tense moments.
“When I mention the Mourinho thing, he was always ahead of the game in terms of trying to gain an advantage somewhere,” Carragher remarked during a segment on Sky Bet’s *The Overlap*. He pointed out that Arsenal’s players, including Raya, often take their time when the pressure is on, as the rules allow goalkeepers to remain on the pitch.
Paul Scholes, another guest on the show, humorously labeled this behavior as “cheating,” to which Carragher cleverly replied, “It is, but you said it, so you can have the headline, not me.”
Arsenal’s approach to games has drawn criticism, particularly after their controversial 2-2 draw with Manchester City, where they were denied victory by a late equalizer. In response to the backlash, manager Mikel Arteta defended his team’s tactics, saying, “We had to play the game that we had to play. They played 30 seconds with 10 men, and look what they did.”
As Raya continues to perform well for both club and country, it will be interesting to see how his style and strategies evolve, especially as discussions around sportsmanship and tactical gameplay heat up in football circles.