Mikel Arteta’s Gunners stirred up some excitement back in February when they were criticized for celebrating too much after their impressive 3-1 Premier League victory over Liverpool.
However, goalkeeper David Raya believes that fans can expect to see similar joyful scenes this Sunday if Arsenal manages to secure another win against the Reds.
Raya is confident that the team is ready to unleash their emotions once again, especially since they believe they can claim victory over their title rivals, who have shown significant improvement under new manager Arne Slot after Jurgen Klopp’s surprising exit.
Ahead of what promises to be an exciting match at the Emirates, Raya expressed his thoughts: “Every win in the Premier League is important, and we should celebrate each victory just as passionately. When we played Liverpool in the second half of last season, those three points were huge for us. The emotion that comes with winning against Liverpool is not only important but also incredible. If we win on Sunday, we will feel the same emotions and have the same celebrations!”
Liverpool a top team
He acknowledged that Liverpool remains a formidable opponent. “They’re a top team with a new manager, and they’ve raised their game. They’re dangerous and will be coming for those three points, so we need to be prepared for that,” Raya added.
There was a memorable moment when Arsenal’s captain, Martin Odegaard, borrowed a photographer’s camera after their victory over Liverpool in February, which drew some disapproval from pundits like Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville, who deemed the celebrations “immature.” At that time, the Gunners had narrowed the title gap to just two points.
This time, however, Arsenal finds itself four points behind Slot’s team, with key players like William Saliba suspended and Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori all nursing injuries. Despite these challenges, Raya remains optimistic: “Everyone knows how important Saliba is for us, but we have top players ready to step in and help us win.”
After facing a tough 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth, which resulted in their third red card in just eight matches, Raya emphasized that the team cannot afford to dwell on their misfortunes. “We need to learn from our mistakes,” he said. “We’re not trying to get red cards—some were a bit silly. But each red card has changed the course of the game. It’s tough enough to win in the Premier League with 11 players, let alone with 10! We just need to move forward; now isn’t the time to reflect on it. It happened, and that’s it.”
The 29-year-old believes that if Arsenal wants to achieve their goals this season, they must avoid dropping points unnecessarily. He concluded, “Every game is a must-win if we want to be successful. The Premier League is filled with great teams, not just Manchester City and Liverpool. Anyone can win the league.”
After facing Liverpool, the Gunners will embark on a challenging schedule with four consecutive away matches in just 11 days against Preston, Newcastle, Inter Milan, and Chelsea. It’s crucial for them to make the most of their home advantage this weekend!