David Raya has reiterated that he would love to play for a top club despite his fine start to life in the Premier League with Brentford.
The Spaniard has been a long-term target of Arsenal and they even tried to sign him before they moved for Aaron Ramsdale.
With Bernd Leno’s future still in doubt, Cadena Ser via Sport Witness has renewed the links between him and the Gunners.
The report reminds us that he is a goalkeeper that Mikel Arteta thinks highly about and he was interviewed by the Spanish outlet.
The former Blackburn shot-stopper says he is happy at his present club as the Bees impress on their promotion to the Premier League.
However, he says he just wants to have a good year with them and then everything else remains unknown.
He maintains he has great ambitions and one of them is to play for a top club and that could be a hint that he would gladly join Arsenal if they return for him.
“I’m happy at the club,” Raya told Cadena Ser.
“I want to have a good season this year. We’ll see what happens in the summer. My ambitions are great, I’d like to play at the top. You always want to play for big clubs.”
He could be targetted if Lenno leaves either this winter or next summer.
Is there a need to replace Leno when we already have a fine young keeper on our books in Karl Hein who is performing well for Estonia? He also happens to be 4″ taller than Raya who I recognise is a very good shot stopper.
Very good point Grandad.
As we speak we have 2 excellent goal keepers at the club.
I expect that to change with Leno moving on, leaving Ramsdale as undoubted number 1 (performances warranting).
It is so very difficult to bring in a Raya or Onana, to basically be the back up keeper (as neither would represent an immediate improvement on Aaron IMO).
Therefore, is there an argument that if Hein continues his good progress to date is he a viable option.
This would also seem to fit the clubs policy of a youthful approach going forward.
Quite rightly folk could argue “to be serious contenders, you need 2 top class players for every shirt”.
Unfortunately, we are a way of that scenario and may look to the in-house solution you mention.
What follows is a list of back-up keepers as at August ’21 ;
Harry Lewis – Saints
Angus Gunn – Norwich
Kristoffer Klaesson – Leeds
Kjell Scherpen – Brighton
Jed Steer – Villa
Jack Butland – Palace
Patrik Gunnarsson – Brentford
Danny Ward – Leicester
John Ruddy – Wolves
Wayne Hennessey – Burnley
Ben Foster – Watford
Zack Steffen – Man’ City
Asmir Begovic – Everton
Caoimhin Kelleher – Liverpool
Freddie Woodman – Newcastle
Alphonse Areola – West Ham
Pierluigi Gollini – Spuds
Kepa Arrizabalaga – Chelsea
Dean Henderson – Manure
Some we are familiar with, others not so much.
So getting a recognised keeper to contest the No1 shirt, or purely be back up, is quite a delicate balance – whoever you are.
As you say, do we have the answer under our nose ?
Agree AJ. Not many top keepers other than the older ones accept being a number two. You either take a keeper in their mid 30’s who is often starting to lose form, or a youngster. Hein looks good (see comment below)
Agree Grandad – no need for Raya, who we know wouldn’t come cheap, when Hein is taking really huge steps this season and is streets ahead of Okonkwo, who was expected to take the reins but seems to be going backwards.
For all of us criticising international breaks – the silver lining is that Hein’s form, confidence and credibility have grown massively through his outstanding performances for Estonia lately. We may have another Martinez here, albeit developing much younger, so let’s give him some games as we could have a jewel.
Is Arsenal still a top club ?
Obviously to TRUE SUPPORTERS, we are!
You may wish to decide whether or not, by even asking that SILLY question, YOU fall into that category!
Was that comment really necessary, Blaze?
In any football survey except for those listing merely on stadium capacity, Arsenal was and still is always in the top 10 for global supporters. Last estimate I saw was close to 80 million fans.
Blaze.
Arsenal are a massive CLUB.
The TEAM is currently in the midst of a difficult transitional phase, but we remain a “top” CLUB.
Is Blaze really a supporter?
One silly question deserves another!