Oliver Glasner has revealed that Crystal Palace targeted David Raya’s positioning during their 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
Arsenal took the lead twice at the Emirates Stadium through Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard but Palace pulled level with goals from Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
William Saliba gave the ball away in the build-up to Mateta’s goal in the 83rd minute but the Palace striker still needed a brilliant chipped effort to beat Raya, who was caught out of his goal.
Arsenal’s draw means Liverpool will now be crowned Premier League champions if they secure at least a point at home to Tottenham on Sunday.
Speaking after the game, Glasner revealed that Raya’s tendency to come far off his line was highlighted to his Palace players in their pre-match preparations against Arsenal.
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‘We showed the players yesterday when we were preparing the opponent, we showed them that David Raya is high [off his line],’ Glasner said.
‘It was the third time [in the match] we had this situation – the first one Justin Devenny didn’t recognise it, so we forgot it.
‘Adam Wharton had the kick in the first half where he hit Thomas Partey and this would have been quite dangerous. And then we got the third opportunity and JP [Mateta] had this amazing finish.’
Analysing Mateta’s goal, former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher felt Raya was at fault for not getting back into position.
‘We’re going to see this more and more where goalkeepers are not just good on the ball but if you see, Raya is part of the back four, that’s fine,’ Carragher said.
‘Where I do have a problem with David Raya, as soon as Odegaard takes up the position as another centre-back, I just think you have to get back in your goal.
‘And maybe it’s the thing of, ‘we’re winning 2-1’, a little bit more lax than it would have been. As soon as Saliba plays it he doesn’t need to be there.
‘And it’s a mess from Saliba, and it’s been a couple of times now. He was brilliant at the Bernabeu but he lost his focus [for Real Madrid’s goal]. And that is absolutely outstanding [from Mateta].’