Mikel Arteta has expressed admiration for David Raya’s often-overlooked contributions as Arsenal’s goalkeeper. Raya secured the position of the club’s number one after joining on loan from Brentford during the summer. Despite the initial fondness that Gooners had for Aaron Ramsdale, Raya has steadily solidified his role in the team.
Arteta, a staunch supporter of Raya at the Emirates, has ensured the goalkeeper’s consistent presence on the field. He plans to maintain Raya as the primary choice for the foreseeable future, reflecting the trust and confidence Arteta places in him.
While some fans may find it challenging to distinguish Raya’s performance from that of Ramsdale, Arteta contends that the subtleties lie in Raya’s ability to preemptively address challenges. This quality, often unnoticed, proves crucial in goalkeeping and sets Raya apart in Arteta’s eyes.
The gaffer said, as quoted by The Sun:
“What I like about David as well is what he does in goal – the things he prevents us from, you don’t even see because they don’t happen, because he has anticipated them.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Raya has been a part of our success this term, and the Spanish goalie is a reason we have remained competitive.
At the end of the term, if we win a major trophy, he would have contributed to that success.
Isn’t he on loan? I’m guessing there must be a guaranteed option to buy at an already agreed price?
£3 million loan fee and £ 27 million option to buy which I think we will take up the option.
Raya is way better than Ramsdale
People want to see a keeper that makes saves, like Aaron, but top coaches like Arteta want a keeper that prevents shots, which Raya is good at
It’s not a surprise that with Raya in goal, opposition sides have lesser shots on target against us eg Liverpool, Man City, West Ham etc
Easy to make vague ambiguouis statements like “he prevents us from thing which we dont even see”, which in clear English is saying nothing TANGIBLE at all.
It would help if MA would at least spell,out in clear words EXACTLY WHAT those mysterious things we dont, apparently see, actually ARE. IF they exist at all that is!
I find in life, as with football folk, when people fail to spell out PRECISELY what they refer to, then a natural cynicism about whether or not such qualities even EXIST, is to be expected. Unsurprisingly!!
Perhaps you know Freddy and will kindly tell us all and, if you will, EXACTLY!!
lol. That’s a guess for you armchair managers to make.
Jon Fox surely you understand that English is not Arteta’s first language. I’m sure he’d be more precise,and would use more appropriate language if he was using his native Spanish. I’m sure you’d have the same problem if you were speaking a language that is not native to you. We’ve seen this ‘vagueness’ with all the foreign coaches who dominate the English Premier League. In fact,we’ve seen coaches in the Epl who just can’t speak the English language and make use of interpreters.Unless you’re fluent and articulate in all the languages of the world,I suggest you cut Arteta some slack.
Though on your broad point,in general, I accept what you say as true, in the case of MA who speaks English perfectly well and who has lived in England for a great many years continously, I have to reject your argument as being incorrect.
I suggest to you Onyango, as presumably, you are, as I am, a close regular observer of most or all of MA ‘s press conferences and in interviews, he is ALWAYS skilled at speaking amiably, though without saying anything much at all of TANGIBLE SUBSTANCE , when he prefers not to.
That is a language skill and belies your incorrect summation of MA being not that good with English.
He is in fact EXTREMELY SKILLED AT USING IT TO HIDE,OR TO DIVERT LISTENERS AND WATCHERS FROM HIS TRUE INTENTIONS.
If you are entirely honest with yourself, and assuming you HAVE watched his talks regularly, I believe you will agree with my view and alter your opinion above, with a closer, keener OBSERVATION of how he ALWAYS speaks to journos and those wanting info!
Lastly, the fact that neither I nor anyone in the entire world are obviously fluent and articulate in ALL WORLD LANGUAGES is a foolishly irrelevant thing to say, in the light of the undoubted fact tht MA does INDEED speak and understand English perfectly well.
I agree that Arteta sometimes uses language to obfuscate meaning, as do most managers and players when facing the press. The burden of having to say something that is agreeable in public has meant that managers can’t say exactly what they mean. Like in many other public engagements in other facets of life, authenticity has been sacrificed at the alter of agreeableness and political correctness. In the famous words of Jose Mourinho, “If I speak,I’m in trouble” . I also agree with you that Mikel has a good grasp of the language, but certain nuances still elude him which is normal.
That said, I don’t think Arteta was being dishonest or evasive with regards to this particular comment on Raya. I think the word anticipation sums up the point he was trying to make – like nipping it in the bud before it becomes a serious problem. There are two proactive ways Raya does this. Firstly is by claiming crosses/high balls rather than punching which completely nullifies a chance for the opponent. Secondly is his tendency to rush out and intercept a ball before the attacker meets it.
Arteta’s English is good enough,but I think a native speaker would have brought out the point better.
For Freddy
There is some sense in what you say in terms of distribution.
However, how do you compare the 2?
Raya has been in goal for majority of the season and he has a good centre back pairing of Gabriel and Saliba plus the additional protection by Declan Rice which makes his job easier.
Ramsdale has rarely had Declan Rice. Saliba got injured at a crucial part of last season.
Whilst Partey is a better player in progressive play than Rice, I felt he was not a leader.
So unless both are given the same tools, how can they be compared?
I feel it is a managerial preference.
IGL very pertinent points you make. I agree with you!
As I often write UNLESS you are able to compare like with like, EXACTLY too , then comparisons are misleading.
( They are what some call “odious”).
For Jon
What I wrote is just common sense.
Unfortunately, I have noticed a slow erosion of this quality over the years with systems in place with guidelines to not allow a person to think. eg: a referee is not allowed to make a common sense decision. He has to follow rules and guidelines.
You must also have noticed this.
IGL You are indeed pushing at the most open of all open doors.
I havew been and will remain, while I can still breathe, an implacable opponent of everything and everybody who seeks to limit free speech and inhibit common sense views.
. If I had my way I would would make the sinister “woke” movement and its aims to limit freedom of speech, ILLEGAL.
It harms and limits society and stops the overwhelming expressing or writing common sense views, because a very small would be censorious group of people will not allow it.
That is anti democratic, is harmful to society and is dangerously taking a hold across our planet.
I fear it immensely and am pledged to fight it til my last breath!
I urge all REAL DEEP THINKERSTO REALLY THINK ABOUT HOW WE HUMANS ARE,and to join in and fight this evil enemy of “woke”!
For Jon
I am looking at it from a deeper view point.
This lack of authority afforded to the individual in whichever career (be it teaching, health, policing, armed forces) has far reaching consequences.
This would lead to individuals going to work in a completely overworked mechanical way leading to mental problems outside of the workplace.
I’m afraid I have to disagree.
To suggest that exactitude is required to make comparisons is not credible. In comparing GK (and indeed any other player) it is necessary to use available metrics and a judgement about the relative strengths and limitations of each player.
There are metrics that suggest that in certain key attributes Raya has been ahead of Ramsdale (and
several other PL GKs) over the last few years. These metrics are likely to have formed part of the rationale for going after Raya in the first place.
We are currently benefiting from the use of metrics and good judgment.
@ David
Metrics are just one aspect of making a judgement but not the only way. Whether they were used or not is also a guess by you.
Using your own eyes is a better method for you to make your own judgement.
Whether it is good judgement or not as may be the case or just a managerial preference is also something we do not know and will probably never know.
Would we not have benefitted now in the current set up using Ramsdale instead of Raya is also something we will never know.
I like Raya and Ramsdale to me they are both good and Raya with a slightly higher up-to Ramsdale. Raya will come out and hold the ball rather than punch it or push it back to play. But what I don’t understand Freddy, please explain how he prevents the shots?
One obvious question; with aerial balls who would you trust to correct them? Secondly in counter attacks and ball distribution who would you prefer? You were able to see Ramadale in action for atleast a season. You can compare the two.
The fact that Raya collects crosses rather than punching them out is one example of him preventing shots. Also, he is less inclined to give possession back to the opponent when distributing. I see what Arteta is saying. It’s like seeing a successful tackle but you’d only realize its importance if the tackle wasn’t made and the ball ended up with a shot on goal So you don’t get to see how just crucial the tackle was
I agree . The fact that Raya collects so many crosses reduces the chaos factor in the box. Raya contributes to Arsenal facing fewer shots just as much as the defenders and Rice. Arsenal is also first when it comes to goals scored from fast breaks- Raya has been a big factor in enabling that through his distribution.
Break on through, I kindly ask you to watch the Tottenham and Newcastle games and correct one statement you have made. Honestly speaking Raya hasn’t been exposed and showed us how good he is at shot stopping. The gaffer has to justify his decisions by praising him considering that if we don’t end up winning anything fans will start questioning his decisions.
Some fans will always question Arteta’s judgement. For the most part he has been right.
That includes Raya as the GK. Some of us have pointed out before that the GK is part of the defensive unit. GKs are not there just to make spectacular saves.
The control that we have of games with Raya is exceptional. It is evidently not all down to him but he plays an important part.