Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has pointed the finger at the Premier League’s new match ball after being beaten by Dominik Szoboszlai’s spectacular late winner for Liverpool at Anfield.
The Spaniard was left rooted as the midfielder unleashed a dipping, swerving strike from 32 yards with just seven minutes remaining to seal a 1-0 win for Arne Slot’s side.
For Raya, the goal was less about poor goalkeeping and more about adapting to equipment he insists feels unfamiliar.
Speaking afterwards, the 29-year-old lamented the Premier League’s switch from Nike to Puma balls for the 2025/26 season, describing the adjustment as difficult.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has pointed the finger at the Premier League’s new match ball after being beaten by Dominik Szoboszlai’s spectacular late winner for Liverpool at Anfield
|GETTY
“It’s different to the Nike ball so we have to adapt to it,” he said.
“The grip is different, the kick is different. We just have to adapt after playing with the Nike ball for many years. It’s the same for everybody.
“I’m disappointed not to save it, like every goal you concede. I think it’s a hell of a strike.
"I remember the ball moving a lot and moving away from me. Hopefully, the next one I can save.
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"It’s a very good strike, especially with the new balls and everything.
"We still have to adapt. It’s going away from me so it’s harder to gauge and save it.”
Raya’s frustration comes after Mikel Arteta also criticised the Puma balls earlier this year when Arsenal were knocked out of the League Cup by Newcastle.
At the time, the Gunners boss claimed the flight and grip were markedly different to the traditional Nike design that had been used in English football for over two decades.
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Dominik Szoboszlai. WOW. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/AmSa5lVgcx
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025
Arteta said in January: “We also kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot so there’s details that we can do better.
"It’s just different. Very different to a Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently.
"When you touch it the grip is very different as well, so you adapt to that.”
Raya, though, was keen to stress that Arsenal’s defeat was about more than just equipment.
He highlighted the team’s defensive resilience for much of the evening and insisted there were still positives to take despite losing ground in the title race.
“We wanted to go forward to attack them, to keep them quiet in the first half,” he said.
“We showed a lot of character to keep Liverpool quiet. You have to take the positives from it. It’s fine margins and a magical moment from them.
“We haven’t been beaten from the top six clubs in many games. There are a lot of steps forward to take and learn in every single aspect. There’s always things you have to learn.”
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The debate over football technology is nothing new.
Goalkeepers in particular have often complained about balls introduced for major tournaments, from the infamous Jabulani at the 2010 World Cup to the Brazuca in 2014, which were accused of moving unpredictably in the air.
For Raya and Arsenal, the challenge now will be ensuring adaptation comes quickly.
With fixtures piling up after the international break, the Gunners can't afford to lose sight of Liverpool so early on.