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

Gary Neville was stunned by how far back Arsenal’s defensive wall was before Bruno Fernandes fired Manchester United ahead in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

The United captain opened the scoring just before half-time with a fairly flat effort from more than 25 yards.  

Before the free-kick was taken, Neville said while commentating for Sky Sports: ‘The wall looks a fair way back. Looks like it’s giving him a chance. It looks a mile back.’

After seeing the ball hit the net, Neville added: ‘Can we put a measure on that? Because that wall looked absolutely miles away. Usually, you see the wall, particularly a big wall like that, it always looks really difficult to get it up and over.

‘There just seemed to be so much space, so much space that he didn’t even have to go that high up into the net. And he (Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya) couldn’t get across. But you fancied him, and he delivered.’

Opposition players are supposed to stand at least 10 yards away from the ball when defending a free-kick.

Fernandes was able to get his shot over Gabriel and Mikel Merino in Arsenal’s five-man wall

Gary Neville (right) and Jamie Redknapp (left) were part of the Sky Sports team on Sunday

Where the defenders are allowed to stand is measured out approximately by the on-field referee, usually by them 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, according to Sky Sports.

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

‘It’s a bit like [Didier] Drogba and [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s technique,’ said Redknapp at half-time. ‘You can have a look at the keeper’s positioning.

‘I think what you’re trying to do is create a topspin. That gets the extra power. And that is moving so fast.

‘And he’s still… the goalkeeper is perhaps a yard away. Once that ball’s gone past him, look, he’s miles away from it still.’

Raya initially positioned himself well right of centre in his goal, with the wall tasked with protecting the left side.

Just before Fernandes shot, Raya took a big step to his left but he was still unable to get close to the ball as it flew past him.

Sunday’s game went on to finish level after Declan Rice equalised for Arsenal in the 74th minute.

Fernandes almost scored again late on but he was denied by an athletic double save by Raya.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya initially positioned himself well right of centre in his goal

Just before Fernandes shot, Raya took a step to his left, putting him in a more central position

But the Gunners goalie was still unable to get close to the ball as it flew past him into the net

It was later revealed that referee Anthony Taylor had pushed Arsenal’s wall back 11.2 yards

Spanish goalkeeper Raya was making the 81st appearance of his Arsenal career on Sunday

Rice spoke to Sky Sports after the final whistle and he was asked for his thoughts on the United goal.

He replied: ‘Yeah, I haven’t seen the goal back. It felt like a couple of us jumped and some of us didn’t. I’ve actually not seen it back. It felt like the ball flew over us at quite a low height. So, probably from the wall’s perspective, could have done a lot better.

‘I’ve not seen it back yet, so I’m going to look.’

After being asked if he thought the wall had been too far back, Rice added: ‘It did feel far back because even on our free-kick, when Martin [Odegaard] took it, they felt far back as well. It seemed more far back than usual.

‘But, you know, Anthony’s the ref, he makes that decision. And, yeah, like I said, I’ve not seen it back yet, so I can’t comment.’

Arsenal now sit 15 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, while United are still 14th in the table.

Both teams will now turn their attention to European action. Arsenal have a mammoth 7-1 lead to defend against PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

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