“There will be pressure” - Gary Neville slams Arsenal problem as Alan Shearer hits out at “terrible” decision

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal staged a dramatic fight back to retain their unbeaten Premier League status during a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

The result leaves Arsenal second in the table and marginally behind Manchester City on goal difference, while Tottenham have the chance to go top of the table during their game in hand.

Arsenal looked certain to slump to their first defeat of the season throughout the match and one of the game’s biggest talking points proved to be a costly error from goalkeeper David Raya. The Spanish international was at fault for the second goal of the game when he failed to stop a speculative wide effort from Mykhailo Mudryk.

The decision to start Raya over last season’s first choice shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale has divided opinion among Arsenal supporters. It is a move which has not yet worked in the way Arteta hoped, with Raya looking uncertain in recent games against Manchester City when he was hesitant on the ball and also against RC Lens where he made a costly error in a Champions League defeat.

Arteta has previously spoken of his desire to regularly rotate goalkeepers as he would with any other position and added that he would even consider changing them midgame for tactical reasons. However, Gary Neville has been critical of Arteta’s approach and believes he is creating pressure for both players.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the ex-Man Utd star said: "David Raya started his Arsenal career well but then he had a poor Champions League game (against Lens) followed by that first half against Manchester City. Now, this game. It’s getting hot for him. He’s got that look on his face like, ‘help’.

“It’s the toughest position to play and certainly when you’re at one of the biggest clubs in the league, you’re under the most amount of scrutiny - particularly if you’re a goalkeeper.

“Mikel Arteta has created that, let’s be clear with the Ramsdale and Raya situation.It’s unusual but he says it can work. I’ve never believed it could, and I believe we’re seeing in front of our eyes the challenges that exist because now, there is going to be pressure. Aaron Ramsdale hadn’t done a lot wrong at the start of the season."

Alan Shearer points out ‘clear error’ which went against Arsenal

Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has also given his take on the game and slammed the referee and VAR team for failing to award Arsenal a penalty for an incident involving Robert Sanchez and Gabriel Jesus.

The Match of the Day pundit said: "Sanchez has just come out and he wipes Jesus out. What is key for me is that he catches him in the head. Look, he goes right through him here. It’s a terrible challenge. How on earth can the VAR not think that’s a penalty and the referee? He is nowhere near the ball. They should have had a penalty, there is no doubt about it."