Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya suggested that the new Premier League ball was partly responsible for Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick that won Liverpool the game.
Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season and give them an early lead in the title race.
Szoboszlai’s strike from 32 yards out curled into the top left corner to ensure the three points and there was little criticism of Raya for failing to save it.
Speaking after the game, the Gunners keeper praised the goal but also stated that he was still getting used to dealing with the new Puma balls, which may have affected his ability to save it.
‘I haven’t seen it [the goal] back yet. Disappointed not to save it like every goal you concede,’ the Spaniard told Sky Sports.
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‘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.
‘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.
‘It [the new Puma ball] is different to the Nike ball so we have to adapt to it. 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.’
Puma is the new ball supplier for the Premier League this season after Nike’s contract ended earlier this year.
As for Szoboszlai, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he put the free-kick down to: ‘A lot of practice, especially in the last few weeks. We had a chance to have some practice because we had only one game in a week and when we have two then we have to rest.
‘I practiced my whole life and hopefully a couple of times it’s come out where I’ve had the practicing way. Hopefully the next goes in as well.
‘I can’t explain [how he hits the ball the way he does]. It’s hard to explain. I just practiced this shot for a long time and then it looks like that.’
Szoboszlai and Liverpool will look to continue their winning start when they travel to Burnley on September 14 after the international break.
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