Michael Owen believes William Saliba will be “furious” with goalkeeper David Raya after his error led to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s equaliser in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. With Liverpool now needing just a point against Tottenham to clinch the Premier League title, Arsenal’s hopes of securing the championship are all but over.
The match saw Arsenal take the lead twice, first through Jakub Kiwior and later Leandro Trossard, but Palace fought back with goals from Eberechi Eze and Mateta. The pivotal moment came when Saliba gave the ball away in the build-up to Mateta’s stunning chipped goal in the 83rd minute. Raya, who was caught off his line, failed to adjust his positioning in time, leaving Saliba exposed.
Owen, speaking on Premier League Productions, expressed sympathy for Saliba but was critical of Raya’s role in the incident. “Everybody knows Raya takes big angles, but once the angle closes, he needs to sprint back to give Saliba a viable pass option,” Owen said. “He was never in position to help, and I feel sorry for Saliba because he made one mistake, but he wasn’t given the support he needed from his keeper. If I were Saliba, I’d be in the dressing room screaming at Raya.”
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown echoed Owen’s frustration, highlighting how sloppy play has crept into Arsenal’s recent performances. “Saliba needs to stay alert and not switch off,” Keown said. “We saw it against Real Madrid and again tonight. These lapses in concentration are a sign of the team’s sloppiness, as they try to coast through games. You make mistakes when you’re not at 100%, and that’s costing Arsenal now.”
The result means Liverpool will be crowned champions if they secure a point against Tottenham on Sunday, as Arsenal’s season continues to unravel in the final stretch.