Arsenal breezed passed PSV in their Champions League return this week and after the 4-0 win, everyone was full of praise for David Raya.
Raya was signed by Arsenal in the summer amidst a long of debates and disagreements because they already have a top keeper like Aaron Ramsdale but as the season has picked up pace, it’s becoming clear that the loanee from Brentford is miles ahead of Ramsdale in terms of ability.
The 28-year-old has now started two games for the Gunners, the win over Everton last weekend and then the 4-0 Champions League victory over PSV and in both these matches David Raya was exceptional.
After the midweek win, pundit Jamie Carragher was quick to praise the Spaniard claiming that he is ahead of the Ramsdale in terms of ability.
“I understand having two goalkeepers of a similar ability; I understand mentally it might be a problem for the goalkeeper,” Carragher told CBS Sports(h/t by the Metro).
“But surely if Mikel Arteta thinks he can get a better goalkeeper in the building, he has to make that signing to make Arsenal a better team.
“100 percent[he’s better than Ramsdale]. Arsenal will never win the league with Ramsdale in goal, no chance. Ramsdale is playing for Arsenal, and he can’t even get in the England team.”
Will David Raya remain in goal for the North London Derby?
The 28-year-old has a rating of 7.68 out of 10 after 180 minutes of football for the Gunners and we can confidently claim that David Raya has now become the first-choice keeper for Arsenal.
This Sunday, Arsenal will take on Tottenham and he is going to be one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s teamsheet. The Gunners are playing in all four competitions this season so Aaron Ramsdale will get a fair amount of game time but the English keeper will have to play second-fiddle to Raya from here onwards.
Unless there’s an unexpected injury, Aaron Ramsdale is not going to move up the pecking order, not at least in the key games.
Tottenham Hotspur have conceded only five goals in the Premier League this season and Arsenal will need the distribution qualities of David Raya if they are to unlock Spurs’ defence.
Ramsdale was great for Arsenal last season but the 25-year-old is not great with the ball at his feet which is the primary reason why Mikel Arteta was so desperate to bring David Raya on board.
Raya’s loan deal has an option to buy clause at the end of the summer and Arsenal have every plan to trigger it which means either Ramsdale will have to be content with a backup role or he will have to leave. Teams like Bayern Munich have been shown an interest in the 25-year-old but as of now, Ramsdale wants to remain in North London and fight for his place.
