Despite his outstanding efforts, David Raya, among the Gooners, has received little appreciation as this Arsenal team strives for Premier League glory.
The Spanish shot stopper’s impact has been noticeable despite missing six league games (the first four of the season and two against Brentford).
He has strengthened Arsenal’s defensive resolve by keeping 11 clean sheets, three more than any other Premier League goalkeeper.
His distribution, shot-stopping skills, and dominant presence in goal have helped Arsenal achieve the best defensive record. The Gunners have conceded only 24 goals, three fewer than any other Premier League club.
A move for Raya might have come out of nowhere, but did it? That seems unlikely. In Raya, Mikel Arteta must have seen the qualities he wanted in his goalkeeper. Last season, many were pleased with Ramsdale’s performance in the Arsenal goal, but there may have been something Arteta wasn’t comfortable with about the Englishman’s game.
it appears that trusting Raya proved to be a wise move by Arteta. The Brentford man has been consistent, dependable, and a cornerstone of Arsenal’s success.
Raya’s brilliance may be difficult to recognize due to Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba’s defensive combo, but he has truly been remarkable.
There’s a good chance he’ll win the Premier League Golden Glove, and hopefully he’ll do so as a league champion. Does anyone still think that Arteta was wrong to drop Ramsdale and replace him with Raya?
Darren N
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
Ramsdale to be number 2 next season. Until we have our
FFP in order
Raya has been great but I still prefer Ramsdale in goal.
Ramsdale isn’t that bad but Raya is just far better than him
At the beginning of the session I didn’t see why we brought him in
Middle of the season I’m thinking maybe its a good move
Business end of the season I see a calmness at the back which he brings
Still don’t think there is too much between them in ability wise
would love AR to sticks around, learns his trade and becomes our no.1 in the future
Can’t see it happening though
Onwards and upwards
There’s a big difference, one swallows crosses the other at best flaps at crosses, plus Val contral with feet.
With that said, Rayer does have a bad habit coming of his line a bit much, away Porto a classic 🙈
Ramsdale is just as good and with his confidence back better
What a great and though provoking question by the writer. I was definitely confused when we bought in Raya. Ramsdale is a great goalkeeper and my opinion is still the same, I don’t see Raya as an upgrade. What do I know? I’m just an emotional fan. As the season has come closer to the finale, I think I’ve grown to trust Arteta’s judgement a bit more, especially as he’s rotated the squad more this season, compared to last. So it’s very likely Arteta sees an improvement in our goalkeeping department with Raya as number 1, that I can’t see and have come to accept Ramsdale being dropped as maybe the right decision. At the end of the day, I’m no where near as knowledgeable or qualified as Arteta, Edu and our coaches are about football so would have loved to see a better explanation to us fans, of the decision to bring in Raya.
What a excellent post AndyE and I suggest everything you have said relates to every Gooner!!
Of course, some will say they never doubted MA or Raya, but we ALL know that’s not the case.
There are many gooners with differing views. I, for one, do not agree with everything AndyE has written.
Also, you cannot know that there are no Gooners who have never doubted Arteta or Raya.
I disagree.
For starters, I did not say that every Gooner would agree with what AndyE had written – I “suggested” that what he had written, “related” to every Gooner.
Don’t you think his thoughts have made those Gooners who have read it, resonate in some way with all Gooners?
It certainly has with you, as you have read it and have commented!!
Secondly, I said that “SOME” would say that they never doubted MA or Raya, not that there were “no Gooners who have never doubted MA or Raya.
There are fans who have changed their minds about both individuals within the confines of Just Arsenal, as you have commented on in previous articles.
Success in team is all about group dynamics and trust toward the group and the objective , and accepting responsibility and being accountable. It is not an opportunity taken by Arteta on Raya, he knew he had to get a keeper he can work with in the level or above Emi Martinez, a winner keeper simple. I was one of those who saw his mistake of letting Emi go, and commented Arsenal would spend more to replace him. Look how many keepers since then.
In recent seasons I have not really found time for live games, so could not be specific, however, the difference between Ramsdale and Raya for me, is the same between the Arsenal great Seaman and Lehmann, the force, the joint leadership, the accountability, the winner competiveness. Though, it was Jens versus Alminia, who was also a good keeper but Success and nothing less was what Jens wanted, he saw it and went for it, except the UCL final foul.
I don’t intend to cause any argument, just my opinion.
With Rice added in front of potentially the best CB pair on form its genuinely difficult to tell. Raya is certainly better in the air, no doubt about it.
Hes got the most clean sheets but has only made 34 saves this season, keeping in mind a slow shot trickling on target counts as a save….so facing so few shots while high number of clean sheets tells you how good the players in front of him have actually been.
Raya is better in the air but Ramsdale is the superior shot stopper IMO
Passing ability, distribution, ball control – these are almost as important as shot stopping skills in modern football. It’s no coincidence that Arsenal have an excellent defence, without him having to make many saves. It’s because:
1. Opponents never get the ball
2. And when they do, he’s the 3rd centre back
When I first saw this provoking headline, I thought it was a particular female writer, but the king is dead long live the king.
In terms of Goalkeeping abilities both are very good and Ramsdale edges Raya with the ability to make ridiculous saves 1 on 1, big frame. But Arteta is using Raya as a ball playing cb in our build up play pushing a cb up to dominate teams and Ramsdale cannot do that. Raya also brings a calmness in the defense although there have been a few occasion when he was nervous n it was fairly obvious.
I love Rambo both in term of quality and personality but unfortunately we have upgraded and having 2 WC gks rotating doesn’t work.
Hard to say as Ramsdale has hardly played. Easy to say who is the best when only one keeper plays.
So much for the “competition” that was mentioned at beginning of the season.
Much rather Arteta just say Raya is my guy and not make false statements about competition. He has his preferences which is fine, he is the manager.
Just stop bleating about “competition” for spots and starts when there never truly is.
Another post that tells it as it is.
When we were racking up the 5 and 6 – 0 results, that’s when Ramsdale could have been given playing time, but it just didn’t happen.
I’m still hoping Ramsdale will stay, as he knows how much the fanbase appreciates him.
But we have to trust MA and, to date, he’s been proven correct.
“I have few regrets, but one of them is that on two occasions, I felt after 60 minutes and 85 minutes of two games in this period to change the goalkeeper in that moment.
I didn’t do it, I didn’t have the courage to do it. But I’m able to take a winger or striker and put a centre-back on to play a back five to hold on to a result. We drew those games, and I was so unhappy.
Someone is going to do it, and maybe [people will say] that’s strange. But why not? Tell me why not. You have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something, you want to change the momentum, do it.”
That was either a false statement, a bad joke or one for the “context” experts to justify. If we win the title this season, MA can claim that we should breathe through our buttholes and I will still applaud him
Raya is the better all round goalkeeper. Of course, there will be people who still prefer Ramsdale for his shot stopping.
We had better start scoring more goal…man city are already closing in the gaps of our goal difference
I agree with Ackshay about the differing qualities of the two keepers
I presume Arteta wouldn’t have brought in Raya unless he thought that Ramsdale couldn’t offer as much. It’s obvious to me that it was a difficult position for Raya – taking the place of a popular player- and nerves did show at the beginning and have surfaced a couple of times since (CL I think)
The defence also had to acclimatise to the new man and there isn’t a sniff of a concern now.
Whether Arteta actually really meant that he was going to regularly rotate his GK’s, I don’t know. I did think that Arteta would give Ramsdale a chance in domestic competitions but it’s a possibility that he needed to cement the relationship between the back line and Raya first. Now, it’s too late unless injury strikes for Ramsdale to get an opportunity
Would you not say that, when we had those purple patches of 5 and 6-0 results, SueP, that MA had the perfect opportunity to back his words about subbing keepers?
I’m not sure about this, but weren’t we out of the domestic cups before Raya signed for the club?
Good points Ken1945
I thought that Raya started the season – but on the bench. The cup competitions – carabao and FA Cup could have featured Ramsdale. The West Ham game was a chance because they had completely disintegrated but doing so would use up an outfield player substitution- although that would unlikely change the result.
It’s interesting that the pundits are discussing the importance of goal difference in the lead up to the end of the season. Ramsdale isn’t the usual second choice but this season it may well be important to have as settled a team as possible
I’d have Ramsdale as number 1, Raya has done nothing to show he’s a better goalkeeper.
I personally don’t even know what you talking about cause Raya is far better than Rambo
Raya is still on a loan deal aint he?
Ramsdale is way better than Raja. Our defences have just gotten knitted than before.
Our Defence have gotten better knitted together?
And you think Raya has nada to do with it?
I love Rambo but Raya has a calming and reassuring effect that Aaron is devoid of..
Raya is better. I never get worried when teams try to press him because I know he is good at his feet and will pass well. Ramsdale on the other hand is panicky and hoofs the ball losing possession unnecessarily. For me Raya must remain no.1.
I really rate Ramsdale – But unfortunately Arteta does not – Therefore I think Ramsdale should move to a top British or European Club next year. I predict he will be very successful and win Trophies – Good Luck Rams