Raya save a 'decisive moment' - Morrison
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya's late save to deny West Ham's Mateus Fernandes from point-blank range could be the "decisive moment" which sees Mikel Arteta's side lift the Premier League trophy, believes former top-flight striker Clinton Morrison. With just 15 minutes left on the clock, Fernandes found himself in a one-versus-one situation with Golden Glove winner Raya, who "stood up and made himself massive" to shut out Nuno Espirito Santo's relegation-fighting side.
[Getty Images] Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya's late save to deny West Ham 's Mateus Fernandes from point-blank range could be the "decisive moment" which sees Mikel Arteta's side lift the Premier League trophy, believes former top-flight striker Clinton Morrison. With just 15 minutes left on the clock, Fernandes found himself in a one-versus-one situation with Golden Glove winner Raya, who "stood up and made himself massive" to shut out Nuno Espirito Santo's relegation-fighting side. "There has been a lot of instances this season where David Raya has made those big saves but, for the life of me, I don't know how Mateus Fernandes doesn't score," Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily.
"I will credit Raya because it isn't the first time he has done it. It was a fantastic save, in a big moment, in a big game. "I just don't know why Fernandes took the second touch to try to beat Raya on his near post, when the whole goal was gaping on the far side.
It was clear he isn't someone who is a natural in that position. "You're looking to bend your shot into the far corner nine times out of 10 in that position. Instead, Fernandes was waiting for Raya to go early so he could beat him on his near post, but Raya stood up and made himself massive.
"If Fernandes doesn't take the touch as soon as Pablo plays it to him and he whips it into that far corner instead, Raya doesn't save it. "If West Ham went 1-0 up in that moment, I believe they also go on to win the game. Therefore, it was a defining moment and it is probably why Arsenal deserve to win the Premier League.