Raya’s ability with his feet was the principal reason Arsenal went for the Spain international, agreeing an initial season-long loan from Brentford before an option to make the move permanent that the Gunners will almost certainly take up. The game’s first action felt poignant in this context.
Jesus played the ball straight back to Raya, who then attempted to launch an Arsenal attack, enabling the backline to start noticeably higher up the pitch. Raya ended with 58 touches, more than midfielder Havertz, who played 90 minutes in one of his more encouraging displays in an Gunners shirt.
Unwilling to enter into further discussion over the decision, Arteta explained it as “a belief that I had in the team I wanted to play against the expected opponent — not only that, I made the other changes for the same reason.”
Arteta was gently mocked in some quarters for once playing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” during training in an attempt to acclimatise his players to facing Liverpool at Anfield only to then lose. According to Jesus, several members of the squad chose to play the Champions League anthem in the gym earlier this week, partly in jest.
Joke or not, Arsenal this time looked like they belonged.
