David Raya’s positioning questioned for Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick – as Sky Sports activities reveal precisely how far again Arsenal’s wall was after Gary Neville instructed it was ‘miles away’

Gary Neville was shocked by how far again Arsenal’s defensive wall was earlier than Bruno Fernandes fired Manchester United forward in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Previous Trafford.

The United captain opened the scoring simply earlier than half-time with a reasonably flat effort from greater than 25 yards.  

Earlier than the free-kick was taken, Neville mentioned whereas commentating for Sky Sports activities: ‘The wall appears a good manner again. Seems prefer it’s giving him an opportunity. It appears a mile again.’

After seeing the ball hit the web, Neville added: ‘Can we put a measure on that? As a result of that wall regarded completely miles away. Often, you see the wall, notably a giant wall like that, it at all times appears actually troublesome to get it up and over.

‘There simply gave the impression to be a lot house, a lot house that he did not even must go that prime up into the web. And he (Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya) could not get throughout. However you fancied him, and he delivered.’

Opposition gamers are supposed to face at the very least 10 yards away from the ball when defending a free-kick.

The place the defenders stand is lower than the gamers themselves although. The minimal distance is measured out roughly by the referee, normally by counting their strides.

Arsenal’s wall on Sunday, as marked out by referee Anthony Taylor, was later revealed to have been 11.2 yards away from the ball, based on Sky Sports activities.

Sky Sports activities pundit Jamie Redknapp was very impressed by the strike from Fernandes, however not by the positioning of Arsenal keeper Raya.

‘It is a bit like [Didier] Drogba and [Cristiano] Ronaldo approach,’ mentioned Redknapp at half-time. ‘You’ll be able to take a look on the keeper’s positioning.

‘I believe what you are attempting to do is create a topspin. That will get the additional energy. And that’s transferring so quick.

‘And he is nonetheless… the goalkeeper is maybe a yard away. As soon as that ball’s gone previous him, look, he is miles away from it nonetheless.’

Raya initially positioned himself properly proper of centre in his purpose, with the wall tasked with defending the left facet.

Simply earlier than Fernandes shot, Raya took a giant step to his left however he was nonetheless unable to get near the ball because it flew previous him.

Sunday’s recreation went on to complete stage after Declan Rice equalised for Arsenal within the 74th minute.

Fernandes nearly scored once more late on however he was denied by an athletic double save by Raya.

Rice spoke to Sky Sports activities after the ultimate whistle and he was requested for his ideas on the United purpose.

He replied: ‘Yeah, I have not seen the purpose again. It felt like a few us jumped and a few of us did not. I’ve truly not seen it again. It felt just like the ball flew over us at fairly a low top. So, most likely from the wall’s perspective may have carried out rather a lot higher.

‘I’ve not seen it again but, so I will look.’

After being requested if he thought the wall had been too far again, Rice added: ‘It did really feel far again as a result of even on our free-kick, when Martin [Odegaard] took it, they felt far again as properly. It appeared extra far again than typical.

‘However, you understand, Anthony’s the ref, he makes that call. And, yeah, like I mentioned, I’ve not seen it again but, so I can not remark.’

Arsenal now sit 15 factors behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, whereas United are nonetheless 14th within the desk.

Each groups will now flip their consideration to European motion. Arsenal have a mammoth 7-1 result in defend towards PSV Eindhoven within the second leg of their Champions League spherical of 16 tie on Wednesday.

United will then host Actual Sociedad within the Europa League on Thursday, tied at 1-1 following their first assembly in northern Spain.