Wright concerned about Arsenal star for Real Madrid clash – ‘I saw something’

Ian Wright is worried about Arsenal’s chances in a possible penalty shootout against Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final because David Raya commits to his dive too early

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has flagged a concern over David Raya ahead of Tuesday’s crunch Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid at the Emirates – the goalkeeper is giving a big advantage away to penalty takers.

Raya was unable to deny Iliman Ndiaye in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park. Having committed early, he dived the wrong and allowed the Toffees’ Senegal star to level.

And should the Real tie be decided by a shootout at the Santiago Bernabeu next week, Gunners great Wright reckons that Raya’s tendency to make up his mind early could prove rather costly.

“I saw something the other day with David Raya on the penalties,” Wright told Premier League Productions. “He seems to be taking this massive leap to one side, which is almost giving the penalty taker so much time to say, ‘well, he’s definitely going that way.’

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“I’ve seen penalties being taken against him recently where he’s continually going the wrong way. I think his form in trying to save them, I think it’s wrong, simply because he’s going so far, he’s making such a commitment to one side.

“He’s giving it up, especially if you’ve got a longer run up, you can actually see him a yard away from the ball, he’s gone, [Ndiaye] not kicked the ball yet and David Raya has taken two steps to his right.

“You’re going to see that when you’re running up, you can see he’s committed to one side. That’s the only thing I look at and worries me with the penalties being taken against us at the minute.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be without defender Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes owing to injuries but Ben White and Jurrien Timber are expected to be available.

And after two substitute appearances following three months out with a hamstring injury Bukayo Saka could make his first start since before Christmas against the Spanish giants.

Real, meanwhile, will be able to select Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe and Dani Ceballos after all three were handed suspended bans for displaying misconduct after defeating neighbours Atletico in the round of 16 last month. They were also fined by UEFA.

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