Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that David Raya was injured, not rested, for the 2-1 win over Girona on Wednesday night.
Speaking about the Spanish international after the match, Arteta would not provide any details about the mystery fitness issue:
“He certainly could not play, he is injured and that is it. Let’s see how it goes [for the weekend].”
It has led some fans on X to claim that Arteta may have been a bit economical with the truth ahead of the key Premier League fixture against Manchester City this weekend:
Hopefully just a cold
— Lee Loughran (@LeeLoughran1975) January 29, 2025
most obvious mind games
— Simi (@simiafc) January 29, 2025
He ain’t injuried
— Oliver (@Oliverwelch16) January 29, 2025
He just wanted to rest the guy for a bit
— UMAR M (@MusaJumaUmar1) January 29, 2025
He's prolly resting him, we don't have any back up, that keeper that kept today is poor very poor for our standard.
— Na XP (@Nasthasan) January 29, 2025
No one believes you Mikel
— Phoenix (@sazzam31) January 29, 2025
The news is false, he just wanted to give Neto a minute
— femoso (@mosesfemi934) January 30, 2025
Raya did travel to Spain
The fact that Arsenal’s no.1 was in the stands against Girona raises more questions than answers. If he was injured, why was he at the game rather than undergoing treatment?
If Raya was rested, why did he travel for the match rather than remain in London? It could be the case that, as some say, Arteta is keeping people guessing.
Latest Arsenal injury news
Two players returned from recent fitness problems to start on Wednesday evening. Both captain Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino featured against Girona.
Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu (both knee), Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Gabriel Jesus (ACL) remain out of contention and won’t be available to play City.
Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here