David Raya swiftly ascended to become Arsenal’s number-one goalkeeper just weeks after joining the club on loan from Brentford.
Despite Aaron Ramsdale’s impressive performances for Arsenal, the Spanish goalkeeper has taken over the starting position.
The decision to sign Raya means that Arsenal now has two top-notch goalkeepers competing for the starting spot, with Raya emerging as the preferred choice.
Contrary to some fans’ surprise at his signing in the last transfer window, Raya’s agent has revealed that he has been a priority target for Arsenal since 2021.
During that time, Raya was a crucial player for Brentford, and despite Arsenal’s interest, Brentford resisted selling him, leading the Gunners to bring in Aaron Ramsdale as an alternative option.
Agent Jaume Munell said, as quoted by The Sun:
“Arsenal showed interest for the first time three years ago in 2021. They tried to buy him but Brentford didn’t want to sell him at any price.
“After they bought Ramsdale that was an easier option but David has always been the priority.
“This summer, he had just one year left on his contract with Brentford and Arsenal was the club that showed the most concrete interest and have always been our priority.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Ramsdale was a good first choice for us and it is still difficult to understand why he was replaced in the group.
However, Arteta works with both goalies in training and most likely has an important reason why he has chosen the Spaniard to be the first choice.
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I like Ramsdale and was very pleased when Arsenal signed him, so the whole Raya thing seemed a bit strange because it’s not like he’s been absolutely perfect so far. However Raya does seem much faster with the ball at his feet and I think on here someone said his stats are much better, so I guess Arteta sees a worthwhile improvement, perhaps even if it’s only a “Small margin”, at this level all those “Small margin” improvements throughout a squad can add-up to the extra points that can win a title.
Definitely agree that’s very likely the thinking. I think raya’s a bit more comfortable with the ball and a bit more accurate with his passing in general – I can’t say I’ve noticed the difference since he’s been in our team, but it may have helped us even in the short time he’s been in the team.
The backlash has been because ramsdale is a popular character who hasn’t really let the side down significantly. Every small mistake by raya is therefore magnified to an even greater extent than it normally would be – the type of mistakes that might be overlooked if ramsdale had made them are flagged as major issues because people will think it means he’s no better and Ramsdale has therefore been unfairly treated. For that reason more than any I’m not convinced it was a worthwhile move by arteta, but time will tell.
A do think think there is no significant difference between the two other than Raya maybe more akin playing Arteta ball.
But I love the Englishman and he should hold his head high as he has done nothing to lose that no one spot.