Given how outstanding Aaron Ramsdale has been, many people were surprised by Arsenal’s pursuit of David Raya. But don’t you think Arteta is simply relaying a message?
Which message? Raya, according to speculation, will not be joining Arsenal as a first-choice or backup goalie but rather as a competition for Ramsdale. So, if Arteta is willing to chop and change his keepers, which is unusual, it is clear that he will not be taking any prisoners next season. It would be a declaration of intent and a strong warning to the players to never allow their levels to drop.
Anyone who isn’t performing well will be replaced by someone who can do better. In midfield, Emile Smith-Rowe, Fabio Vieira, and Jorginho will compete for the positions of Odegaard, Havertz/Rice, and Partey, while Ben White will strive to start ahead of Jurrien Timber or William Saliba.
Arteta must have learned from his previous mistake of sticking with Thomas Partey and Rob Holding in his starting lineup when they underperformed last April.
Aside from not taking prisoners in his squad next season, Arteta’s desire to sign Raya when Ramsdale is capable, as well as how far he went to bring Rice on board, should be a clear signal that the project at the Emirates has progressed to the point where top players will be bought, even if there are others already on board.
Arteta wants a good squad, one with enough options for him and players who push each other.
The boss certainly seems to be making ruthless decisions all over the pitch….
Daniel O
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I agree 100 % with the article regarding MA being ruthless… but can we, with hand on heart, say that Ramsdale was / is untouchable after last season?
Too much showboating, errors with the passing out and not improving on last season… in my opinion.
Still love his attitude regarding the badge and, with proper coaching, he will improve.
Good transfer and while Mr Kronkie is wiling to release the money, why not?
Raya pursuit shows that Arteta doesn’t really remember about Ospina and wants another ball-playing GK
Goalkeeepers are like any other players. Need to have
competition
Arteta is putting the club first, and has since day one – which is what we all want.
We just need some real competition for Saka now.
A fan once said Arteta is smart and hungry, he went on to say that’s a terrible combination to have and it could be dangerous for Arsenal, really?
Now just competition for the striker position.
I just find this link really odd…
Goalkeepers are a unique position where they can only get better and more experienced with minutes and I think every goalkeeper that has ever played has had games where they would rather forget, but they then try to remove the errors in the next game. Rambo is no different.
So buying another premier league Goalkeeper that is beginning his prime years and isn’t guaranteed a first team start is all rather odd, even if we sell Turner to Nottingham Forest.
I’m all for competition, but sometimes I wonder if MAs tendency to threaten and apply sustained pressure on players will soon bite him on the arse. This reminds me of the periods of Leno/Martinez and then Leno/Ramsdale, where there was factions which spilled onto pitch with performances due to the uncertainty and relationships with the then current number one.
Also, does no one else here think it is strange that Raya was linked to Manure and the Spuds at the beginning of the window who were in desperate need for a first choice Goalkeeper but nothing ever transpired. So does it mean that MA did some more tapping in previous seasons (as he did with Rice) and that our hand has been forced because of Bayerns interest?
I know MA has had historical interest in Raya, but why are we suddenly pushing for a move now at £40 mil, when we said that £25/30 mil was to expensive pre Ramsdale.
Not that i am suggesting anything sinister and I am sure that MA is genuinely strengthening the squad but something just doesn’t feel right with this speculation if true, considering that Ramsdale has just recently signed a long term deal last season and is pushing Pickford to England’s number one.
Got to agree with you NB
The difference between Ramsdale and Raya is so little that the need for a new keeper seems odd .
You very rarely see a keeper change throughout the season so one of them
Will be left on the bench for cup matches which if Raya signs will probably be Ramsdale .
Both are first team keepers so unless ramsdale is sold which is doubtful then we will have wasted 30+ million on position that didn’t need upgrading .
How many top teams have 2 number 1 keepers ?
Why should anyone not have competition for their spot? Is Ramsdale an exception? Why?
Ramsdale dropped off at the end of the season, and Arteta seems concerned based on his reaction during games.
Ramsdale been easily beaten for goals, sloppy passing, and a noticeable drop from how he started with Arsenal.
Is the solution Raya?
Perhaps a new GK coach?
Could that money be better deployed elsewhere? Is having two no.1 keepers best, or strengthening other positions like striker?
I agree Ramsdale needs competition, I would also suggest Jesus needs competition, Nketiah certainly is not it.
@Durand,I fully agree with you.I fail to understand why fans will moarn when we acquire a quality addition to our squad
Arteta definitely has little faith in Turner for reasons well known to him.
Raya has been outstanding for brentford &the only reason they are selling him is coz of his contract situation. If we happen to get such a player we should all be happy for the team because he is a quality addition.
On our C.F I also think that Arsenal deserves better than Nketiah. Ivan Toney for me is the ideal competitor for Gabby J.We should send Nketiah to brentford &add them some money then get Toney in exchange, after all we are the Arsenal.
Turner was clearly bought for the US market. If Arteta thinks it’s time to replace him with a PL-proven GK then why are you moaning? Raya is a major upgrade on Turner. Very smart move from the club. No more grimaces when Ramsdale goes down holding his hamstring. We have every position covered bar ST. Methinks we’ll be going big on a striker in the summer. I can clearly see what we are trying to do.
Sorry… who is moaning? 🤔
I haven’t seen any ‘moaning’ about Raya?
I think the spots in the team that we don’t have adequate or ideal cover are if Ramsdale and Saka were to get injured. I must say before the Raya links I did not think about a Ramsdale injury but now believe it could be a smart move, to bring in Raya. We also need better competition for Saka, a left-footer. As for the central striker that fans call out for. I think next season is when we take a closer look at upgrading that area. I see us looking for an all-rounder CF next season