Michael Owen points finger at Arsenal star who 'left team-mate screaming' (2025)

A defensive mix-up cost Arsenal all three points against Crystal Palace with David Raya copping criticism for his role in Jean-Philippe Mateta's late equaliser

Michael Owen claims William Saliba will have been left fuming with David Raya after Jean-Philippe Mateta took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score the goal that saw Crystal Palace leave Arsenal with a share of the spoils.

The Gunners knew a defeat would send the Premier League trophy to Liverpool and they were able to delay their title party for a few more days. However they dropped more points, drawing for the third time in four games.

Mateta came off the bench and found the net late on with a stunning finish as Raya was left out of position. The goalkeeper was looking to help his team play out but when Saliba was dispossessed, the Spaniard was out of his goal and Mateta was able to finish smartly from long range.

Whilst it was the French centre-half who lost the ball, plenty have pointed the finger at Arsenal's goalkeeper. Owen believes that Saliba will have been angered by Raya's position, which didn't make it easy for him to find a pass.

He told Premier League Productions: "Everybody knows Raya takes big angles. But once the angle is a closed one, once Saliba is about to go wide to Timber, or potentially, Raya should be sprinting back to make his new angle just in case he comes back.

"He [Raya] was never, ever going to be in the game and I feel sorry for Saliba because all he does is make one mistake in many ways. If I was Saliba there I would be going into the dressing room screaming at Raya, screaming at him. Okay, make an angle, that’s fine, help me out sometimes, but if you’re in doubt just get in a position where I can always pass to you. When I’m in trouble, at least I can go safe."

Jamie Carragher was equally as critical of Raya on Sky Sports and claimed: "I just think you have to get back in your goal." The former Brentford No.1 is into his second season with the Gunners and has copped his fair share of criticism with Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitting they actively targeted him.

He said: "We showed the players yesterday when we were preparing the opponent. We showed them that David Raya is high [off his line]. It was the third time [in the game] 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."

Arsenal's focus has been on the Champions League with their inconsistencies leaving them with a mountain to climb for several months. They've been unable to put serious pressure on Liverpool with their 13 draws undermining their efforts.

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