Ruben Amorim insists goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was not to blame for Riccardo Calafiori’s only goal of the game in the defeat to Arsenal.
Bayindir failed to clear a corner when under pressure from the opposition, allowing Calafiori a free header from close range.
"A magical Arsenal set piece" 🪄
Riccardo Calafiori opens the scoring for the Gunners! pic.twitter.com/a1m2uj2cfE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
But Amorim staunchly defended his goalkeeper after the game.
When it was suggested Bayindir might be at fault, he responded: “He suffered a goal like this (before) when?
And when it was suggested against Tottenham last season, Amorim replied: “But without VAR.
“With VAR, it’s a foul. And then what happened in the next game against Arsenal? Who saved the penalty? Who saved the game?
“You don’t remember the game, I remember the game. Altay was unbelievable in that game. I consider everything to put one in or the other (goalkeeper). I choose Altay.”
Andre Onana was left out of the squad to play Arsenal and explaining the decision, Amorim said: “I didn’t drop Onana from the squad.
“It is not the case of dropping Onana. Not putting in Andre Onana after just one week without seeing a game, without time training.
“Tom and Altay, during the pre-season they did a very good job.”
Pushed on whether he is happy with his current goalkeeping options and if the club need to sign another, Amorim continued: “We proved today that we can win any game in the Premier League. Especially against a great team like Arsenal and we were the better team.
“I’m happy with the players. I’m happy with the three goalkeepers.”