Arsenal Goalkeeper Raya Blames New Puma Ball for Liverpool Free-Kick Goal

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya attributed his inability to save Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick, which secured Liverpool's 1-0 victory at Anfield, in part to the new Puma match ball introduced in the Premier League this season. Raya explained that the new ball behaves differently compared to the previous Nike ball, with altered grip and flight characteristics that players are still adapting to. He acknowledged the strike was exceptional and expressed frustration at conceding but noted that the ball’s movement made it harder to judge and save. Despite the loss, Raya highlighted Arsenal's strong performance in the first half and emphasized the need to learn and improve, especially against top-tier teams. The Puma Orbita Ultimate PL ball features enlarged seams designed to improve aerodynamics and shape retention, marking a significant change in equipment for players this season. This match extended Liverpool's perfect record and kept them atop the league standings, while Arsenal remained competitive but fell to third place.