David Raya has given a bizarre explanation for conceding Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Szoboszlai scored the only goal of the game at Anfield with a superbly struck free-kick in the 83rd minute from 30 yards out.
Arsenal goalkeeper Raya claimed that he found it difficult to judge the flight of Szoboszlai’s free-kick due to the new Puma balls that are being used in the Premier League this season.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Raya said: ‘It’s just a really good strike, especially with the new balls we still have to adapt, especially the goalkeepers, I think everybody would say the same.’
‘It’s going away from me so it’s a little bit harder to gauge and to get there. It’s disappointing not to save it and not to help the team in the way of at least getting a point.
Asked if it feels like the balls are moving differently, Raya said: ‘They’re very different to the Nike balls so we still have to adapt to it. Especially for us, the grip is different, kicking it is different, when they kick it it’s different.
David Raya gave a bizarre explanation for conceding Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick
Raya claimed that he found it difficult to judge the flight of Szoboszlai’s free-kick due to the new Puma balls
Szoboszlai scored the only goal of the game for Liverpool with a superb free-kick
Puma became the official suppliers of Premier League balls this summer, replacing Nike
‘With time we will adapt. We’ve been playing with the Nike balls for so many years and just changing to Puma now it’s different but it’s like that for everybody.’
Puma became the official suppliers of Premier League balls this summer, taking over from Nike who had done so for 20 years.
The new PUMA Orbita Ultimate PL ball was unveiled ahead of the new season.
The Premier League stated that the ball ‘features 12 evenly sized panels that ensure precise weight distribution, keeping it perfectly balanced’.
They added: ‘Its high-frequency moulding guarantees long-lasting durability, with enlarged and deeper seams designed to improve aerodynamics and maintain shape retention.’
Last season Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was critical of Puma balls following his side’s Carabao Cup exit against Newcastle.
Arteta said: ‘We kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot so there’s details that we can do better.’
Liverpool’s victory saw last season’s champions maintain their winning start to the season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticised the Puma ball after Arsenal lost to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup last season
Arsenal, meanwhile, have taken six points out of a possible nine, with the defeat to Liverpool having come after victories against Manchester United and Leeds.
