The FA Cup clash between Manchester United and Arsenal took an unexpected turn when the match was decided by a penalty shootout, with Manchester United emerging victorious after a 1-1 draw in normal time. However, the real story of the shootout revolved around Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, whose performance was widely criticized and described as “all-time horrific.”
The Penalty Shootout Drama
The match had already been action-packed, with United’s Bruno Fernandes scoring the first penalty and Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard responding with an equalizer. However, the shootout took a dramatic twist thanks to Raya’s poor goalkeeping, which led to widespread ridicule on social media.
- Bruno Fernandes:
The United captain scored confidently with the first spot-kick, sending Raya the wrong way with his trademark accuracy. - Lisandro Martínez:
Following Ødegaard’s equalizer, United’s Lisandro Martínez also dispatched his penalty with ease, once again wrong-footing Raya. - Kai Havertz:
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, under pressure, missed his penalty, which allowed Manchester United’s summer signing Leny Yoro to step up and give United a crucial advantage. Yoro capitalized on Raya’s earlier missteps, scoring to put United ahead in the shootout.
David Raya’s Controversial Goalkeeping
The defining moment of the shootout came when Raya’s goalkeeping technique became the focal point of online commentary. His inability to properly react to the penalties drew significant attention, with his early movement before the ball was even kicked particularly standing out.
- Pre-emptive Movement:
In the instance of Yoro’s penalty, Raya appeared to dive to his left long before the ball was struck, as if he had already committed to one side. This premature movement was highly unusual, and it was noted that Raya seemed to be “cheating” on his positioning, even though the ball had not been kicked yet. - Fan Reactions:
Fans on social media were quick to mock Raya’s behavior, comparing it to unrealistic tactics in video games like EA FC 25, where goalkeepers dive prematurely before a shot is taken. Some comments read:- “This looks like EA FC 25 when you’ve already committed to one side and dive before the ball is kicked.”
- “Pro clubs dive.”
- “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a worse goalkeeping display in a shootout than him there, he did this exact thing for every f****** penalty.”
- Harry Kane’s Comment:
Another fan referenced Harry Kane’s previous comments regarding Raya’s tendency to move early in penalty situations. Kane had pointed out after a previous penalty that he had stuttered his run-up because Raya moved before the ball was kicked. The similarity of Raya’s actions in this shootout further fueled the criticism.
The Viral Moment
Yoro’s penalty, while solid, became a viral sensation not for its quality but because of Raya’s bizarre preemptive dive. Fans had never seen such a dramatic and premature reaction from a top-level goalkeeper, and the moment quickly spread across social media platforms, with many using the footage to poke fun at Raya’s technique.
The Aftermath and Criticism
Raya’s performance raised serious questions about his reliability as a goalkeeper in high-pressure moments. His poor handling of the shootout contributed to Arsenal’s defeat, despite their earlier resilience in the match. Fans were left bewildered by his inexplicable dives, which left his team at a severe disadvantage when it mattered most.
- Widespread Criticism:
In addition to his premature dives, many pundits and fans noted that Raya’s decision-making during the shootout appeared to be highly questionable. His inability to react effectively to the penalties cost Arsenal the match, and his reputation has taken a significant hit as a result. - Reevaluating His Role:
With the match’s outcome and Raya’s performance in mind, questions may arise within Arsenal about his suitability as the first-choice goalkeeper, especially during high-stakes moments like penalty shootouts. His inconsistency in this critical match could prompt further scrutiny of his role at the club.
In the end, Manchester United advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup, securing a 5-3 win on penalties after an enthralling match. However, it is David Raya’s penalty shootout performance that will be remembered most vividly, as it sparked intense ridicule from fans and commentators alike. His premature dives and apparent lack of focus have overshadowed the otherwise thrilling encounter, making this penalty shootout one of the most talked-about moments in recent FA Cup history.