Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya suggested that the new Premier League ball was partly responsible for Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick that won Liverpool the game.
Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season and give them an early lead in the title race.
Szoboszlai’s strike from 32 yards out curled into the top left corner to ensure the three points and there was little criticism of Raya for failing to save it.
Speaking after the game, the Gunners keeper praised the goal but also stated that he was still getting used to dealing with the new Puma balls, which may have affected his ability to save it.
‘I haven’t seen it [the goal] back yet. Disappointed not to save it like every goal you concede,’ the Spaniard told Sky Sports.
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‘I think it’s a hell of a strike. I remember the ball moving a lot and moving away from me. Hopefully, the next one I can save.
‘It’s a very good strike especially with the new balls and everything. We still have to adapt. It’s going away from me so it’s harder to gauge and save it.
Metro at the Match: Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
Metro at the Match returns to bring you all the analysis from the biggest games of the season.
Here’s were our team’s key takeways from Liverpool’s dramatic 1-0 win over Arsenal…
- Arsenal’s pursuit of Piero Hincapie looks especially timely after William Saliba was forced off after just five minutes. Cristhian Mosquera deputised well in the Frenchman’s absence, but Mikel Arteta must be pleased to have another reinforcement on the way – Ben Fleming, sports reporter
- One position Arsenal are still lacking in quality is the left wing. Gabriel Martinelli doesn’t quite know when to release the ball and was kept quiet by Dominic Szobozlai all game. If Martinelli can’t do it against someone who isn’t a proper right-back, who can he do it against? – Charlie Barclay, sports video journalist
- Sunday proved to be yet another quiet afternoon for Liverpool’s record signing, Florian Wirtz. The German is still yet to get to grips with Arne Slot’s system and has left the Reds’ midfield looking unbalanced as a consequence – Ben Fleming, sports reporter
- The potential signing of Marc Guehi appears to have finally jolted Ibrahima Konate into action. The French centre-back delivered his most assured performance of the season so far and dealt with the threat of Viktor Gyokeres with ease – Ben Fleming, sports reporter
- Arsenal found it difficult to create much yet again, constantly passing it backwards to David Raya, who was then forced to kick it long. Noni Madueke was the only outfield player who was bright on the day, but was dealt with impressively by Milos Kerkez – Charlie Barclay, sports video journalist
‘It [the new Puma ball] is different to the Nike ball so we have to adapt to it. The grip is different, the kick is different.
‘We just have to adapt after playing with the Nike ball for many years. It’s the same for everybody.’
Puma is the new ball supplier for the Premier League this season after Nike’s contract ended earlier this year.
As for Szoboszlai, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he put the free-kick down to: ‘A lot of practice, especially in the last few weeks. We had a chance to have some practice because we had only one game in a week and when we have two then we have to rest.
‘I practiced my whole life and hopefully a couple of times it’s come out where I’ve had the practicing way. Hopefully the next goes in as well.
‘I can’t explain [how he hits the ball the way he does]. It’s hard to explain. I just practiced this shot for a long time and then it looks like that.’
Szoboszlai and Liverpool will look to continue their winning start when they travel to Burnley on September 14 after the international break.
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