Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has sparked debate after suggesting the Premier League’s new Puma match balls played a part in his failure to stop Dominik Szoboszlai’s wonder strike at Anfield.
The Liverpool midfielder produced a stunning 30-yard free-kick in the 83rd minute to seal a 1–0 win, whipping the ball over the wall and past Raya into the top corner. It’s already being talked about as one of the goals of the season.
But speaking afterwards, Raya admitted he is still struggling to get used to the new match balls.
"With the new balls, we have to adapt"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025
David Raya on getting to used to the new Puma balls in the Premier League, after conceding to Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4zoQDi0Pmu
“With the new balls, we have to adapt,” he said.
An Excuse Too Far?
For many fans, that explanation didn’t sit well. Szoboszlai’s strike was unstoppable — power, dip, and precision rolled into one. Blaming the ball, rather than praising the brilliance of the shot, has been seen by some as excuse-making from the Arsenal keeper.
After all, every goalkeeper in the league is facing the same Puma ball, and none have had to explain away conceding in this fashion.
Dominik Szoboszlai. WOW. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/AmSa5lVgcx
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025
Credit Where It’s Due
The reality is simple: sometimes, a strike is just too good. Even the best goalkeepers in the world wouldn’t have stood a chance against Szoboszlai’s rocket.
By focusing on the ball rather than the brilliance, Raya risks distracting from the real story — Liverpool’s match-winner producing a moment of magic when it mattered most.
Arsenal Left Empty-Handed
For Arsenal, the defeat is another tough blow in a fixture they’ve struggled in historically. While Mikel Arteta’s side defended well for long spells, they couldn’t find the edge needed to win a statement game.
Liverpool, meanwhile, march back to the top of the Premier League with three wins from three under new boss Arne Slot, their aura of resilience and belief firmly intact.
Verdict
Raya may point to the ball, but Szoboszlai’s free-kick was one of those goals that deserves nothing but applause.
Sometimes, you just have to admit: there was nothing anyone could do.
