Mikel Arteta still has ‘full belief’ in David Raya despite the goalkeeper coming under a lot of criticism following his display as Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0 last weekend.

That is according to Dean Jones, who reports that Arteta still views Raya as the clear No1 at Emirates Stadium. He has no desire to drop the 28-year-old and return to Aaron Ramsdale. But alarm bells are likely ringing in north London after his struggles in possession on Sunday.

Raya put the frighteners on many as Arsenal Beat Manchester City after being caught on the ball throughout the first half. Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez nearly gave the Citizens a lead by putting pressure on the Spaniard. Raya was also far from at his best trying to collect crosses.

Arteta has ‘full belief’ in Raya at Arsenal despite his struggles

Josko Gvardiol would have scored without Declan Rice clearing off the line after Raya rushed into no man’s land at an early corner. The ball also fell just on the right side of their post after Alvarez blocked Raya’s clearance. He seemed haunted by another mistake away to RC Lens.

Arsenal lost their only game so far this season at RC Lens in the Champions League ahead of hosting Manchester City. Raya’s distribution was far from at its best and Lens struck after the shot-stopper’s unforced error. His loose pass gave up the ball while 30 yards out of the goal.

Raya had Shearer thinking, ‘What on earth is happening?’

Raya improved as his confidence returned through the second half against Manchester City, who in truth posed little threat to Arsenal. But a horrific first period saw Eamon Dunphy feel Raya looked ‘very nervous’. The pundit further branded his first 45 minutes as a ‘nightmare’.

What Raya showed also frightened Alan Shearer at points against Manchester City with the Newcastle United icon often thinking, ‘What on earth is happening?’. Raya finished the first half with a 78% pass success rate (18/23) which dropped to just 55% (11/20) after the break.

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