Arsenal goalkeeper, David Raya, has said he is still coming to terms with the new Premier League match ball after being beaten by Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick in Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Anfield on Sunday.
Raya admitted the introduction of Puma balls this season has posed a different challenge compared to the Nike balls previously used in the league.
“It’s not the same as the Nike ball we’ve played with for years. The feel, the grip, even the strike is different,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s an adjustment for all of us.”
Reflecting on the defeat, the Spaniard acknowledged the brilliance of Szoboszlai’s decisive strike but stressed Arsenal showed resilience against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
“We tried to push forward, especially in the first half, and showed character to limit Liverpool’s chances. Sometimes it comes down to fine margins and moments of magic,” Raya said.
Despite the setback, Raya pointed to Arsenal’s consistency against fellow top-six rivals as evidence of progress.
“We’ve been strong in these big games. It’s about taking positives, learning, and continuing to grow in every area,” he added.
