Michael Owen Critiques Arsenal's David Raya After Crystal Palace Draw

Michael Owen has criticized Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya for his positioning during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, suggesting that defender William Saliba would be justified in being furious with his teammate after Jean-Philippe Mateta's late equalizer. Owen argued that Raya failed to provide a safe passing angle for Saliba, forcing the defender into a mistake that led to Palace's goal, and stated that Saliba should have been 'screaming' at Raya in the dressing room. This incident has raised broader concerns about team cohesion and accountability within the Arsenal squad, with pundits warning that such defensive lapses and interpersonal tensions could undermine performance in high-stakes matches. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown also pointed out a trend of 'sloppiness' in Arsenal's recent play, suggesting Saliba needs to be more alert. The draw puts Arsenal's Premier League title hopes in jeopardy, as Liverpool now need just one point to clinch the trophy.