Fans believe Arsenal's back-up goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was caught LAUGHING moments after David Raya's howler against Luton - but the theory is debunked as footage shows the moment is way after the error

Fans believe Aaron Ramsdale was laughing on the substitutes bench moments after Arsenal's first choice goalkeeper David Raya made a howler against Luton.

Raya, who joined on loan from Brentford last summer, has established himself as Mikel Arteta's preferred choice between the sticks at the Emirates, despite making a handful of significant errors since being given the vote of confidence.

Ramsdale, who played all 38 league matches during Arsenal's title pursuit last season, has since dropped to the bench to make way for the Spaniard.

The goalkeeper's father criticised Arteta's handling of the situation last month, saying 'my son has lost his smile'. 

But the English shot-stopper appeared in jovial spirits on the Arsenal bench on Monday night, as the Gunners carved out a late 4-3 victory at Kenilworth Road thanks to a stoppage time winner from summer signing Declan Rice.

During the match, fans claimed that Ramsdale was laughing at his competitor after the Spaniard made a blunder in the match. 

Amazon Prime's TV footage panned to Ramsdale after a highlights package of Luton's three goals and caught the 25-year-old cracking a smile before appearing to switch to a sheepish expression when realising the cameras were on him.

There is, of course, no evidence suggesting that Ramsdale was actually laughing at Raya or his mistake, but fans have surmised that the two moments are related.

One supporter said in reaction to the video: 'Ramsdale was laughing at Raya before he saw the camera!'

A second fan chimed in: 'He knew Raya was finished.'

Another added: 'Bruh got too carried away.'

But several other fans responded by debunk the theory on social media.

'This was not after the goal! They join the clip! Don’t do that again!' one supporter said.

Another added: 'So he decided to laugh after the replay was shown on TV. Some of you are so gullible.'

'It was not as it was happening, stop lying,' a third said.

Raya's performance came under major scrutiny on Tuesday after he flapped at Alfie Doughty's corner and allowed Elija Adebayo to score an equaliser at 2-2. 

The goalkeeper then failed to stop a strike from Ross Barkley, allowing the ball to go underneath him for Luton's 3-2 lead.

After the match, Arteta was asked about the two mistakes by a reporter, who said: 'There is a lot of talk about the goalkeeper situation at the moment. Is it fair to say two of goals were gifted to Luton?'

But Arteta flatly deflected away from the response, before delivering a frosty response, replying: 'I am so happy with the team.'

Arsenal pushed their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points ahead of Liverpool's away clash with Sheffield United on Wednesday.

The Gunners travel to Villa Park on Saturday to take on in-form Aston Villa, who sit fourth in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday's game against champions Manchester City.