Rob Edwards reveals it was Luton Town’s plan to unsettle Arsenal star
It was another nervy night for the Gunners.
Rob Edwards confirmed it was part of Luton’s game plan to exploit the weaknesses of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya after his side came agonisnigly close to derailing the Gunners’ title bid last night.
Mikel Arteta’s men required a 97th minute goal from the inspirational Declan Rice in order to edge a seven-goal thriller at Kenilworth Road and move, temporarily at least, five points clear at the top.
The post match jubilation was, to a degree, tempered by another calamitous goalkeeping display from David Raya who committed two second half errors which briefly saw the home side move into a 3-2 lead.
Arteta dodged post match questions relating to the performance of the summer signing from Brentford, but when asked if it was part of his pre-match team talk to exploit the Spaniard’s lack of confidence, Edwards gave a more telling answer.
Asked if could sense that Raya was rattled by Amazon Prime presenter Gabby Logan, Edwards said: We tried to, we wanted to make it as uncomfortable as possible for them.
‘We were probably going to have to be slightly different away from home when we play them again, but here we’ve got to use this place as a bit of a leveller and try to make these top teams and not give them the game they want.’
Arteta, meanwhile, preferred to concentrate on the spirited nature of his side’s comeback that culminated in another injury-time winner.
‘I really enjoyed [it], especially the end,’ he said. ‘The incredible thing about football, the emotions and the moments that you live together with a lot of people. It was a special night.
‘Credit to Luton for the incredible atmosphere they created, the way they played, the way they were coached, they made life really difficult for us, but we found a win. The resilience, the character and quality that the team showed, and how much we wanted it, it was great.
‘Playing every three days and you have to win every game and every game, the demands are there. It’s the way they go about it, how much they want it. We had a talk at half-time, they think we have to do better, and they are so willing.
‘Sometimes it was better than others, today we conceded some goals that we are going to be disappointed with but that’s part of it as well. It’s going to happen and how we react to that, and it was great.’
MORE : Aaron Ramsdale appears to laugh at David Raya after Arsenal keeper’s two howlers against Luton
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
