Arsenal sweating on David Raya’s fitness ahead of crunch Man City clash

Arsenal have been described as "optimistic" that goalkeeper David Raya will be available to face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Raya was not involved as the Gunners beat Girona in the Champions League on Wednesday, travelling with the squad to Spain but unexpectedly left out.

Mikel Arteta clarified shortly before kick-off that the Spain international was "not fit" and reiterated that explanation afterwards too: "He certainly could not play, he's injured and that's it."

Backup goalkeeper Neto stood in for Raya against Girona, with 16-year-old academy talent Jack Porter promoted to the bench to make up the numbers in the matchday squad.

35-year-old Neto, signed on loan from Bournemouth as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, became Arsenal's oldest debutant in more than a century, since 36-year-old Ned Liddell in 1915.

But it was a shaky start for the veteran Brazilian. He endured a nervy moment on the ball in the very early stages, before bizarrely getting stranded 30 yards from goal as Girona took a surprise lead through ex-Tottenham Hotspur loanee Arnaut Danjuma.

Even if Raya cannot immediately return for the visit of Manchester City, a game which has the potential for Arsenal to put nine points between themselves and the defending champions, Arteta insists he is satisfied with Neto's ability to deputise.

"That's why he's here to do that job and he's done it for 20-odd years in his career," the boss said.

"I'm very happy, first of all, that he played [against Girona]. It's been seven months since he played his last match and it's not easy. So [I'm] very happy that he played and we won the game."

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