Raya vs Ramsdale: Arteta’s decision on Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper stirs controversy

David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale are Arsenal’s current top two goalkeepers this season.

The Spaniard has a higher save percentage overall compared to the England star.

Raya’s stats are better compared to Ramsdale’s when it comes to passing the ball with the feet.

His shot-stopping abilities were never called into question last season, as he remarkably kept out 154 of the efforts he faced.

Meanwhile, Ramsdale saved 94 of the 136 shots on his goal.

Raya has made less errors leading to goals, while Ramsdale has conceded more goals.

Over the last two seasons, since Raya’s promotion to the Premier League with Brentford and Ramsdale’s transfer to Arsenal from Sheffield United, both goalkeepers have become two of the best in their position in the competition.

The pair possess the composure, confidence and technical ability to perform the high-demanding role of a modern goalkeeper.

Ramsdale is three years younger than Raya, who recently turned 28.

Statistically, there is little between the duo, both starting every Premier League match last season and becoming integral to Arsenal and Brentford’s successful respective campaigns.

Ramsdale kept an impressive 14 clean sheets last season compared with Raya’s 12.

He conceded 43 goals in the Premier League last season, just three fewer than Raya’s 46.

However, there have been concerns over Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper between Ramsdale and Raya this season.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, over the summer, gave the Gunners the go-ahead to sign Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford for £3million.

Arteta said he wanted Raya to provide competition for Ramsdale at Arsenal.

Prior to Raya’s arrival, Ramsdale had been Arsenal’s untouchable first-choice goalkeeper.

The England shot-stopper had played all 38 Premier League matches for Arsenal last season.

The 25-year-old also led the Gunners to finish second position on the Premier League table last season.

This season, Ramsdale featured in Arsenal’s Premier League games against Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Manchester United.

But Arteta opted to bench him for Raya in Arsenal’s last three matches, including their North London derby 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The Gunners boss cited a tactical decision to drop Ramsdale to the bench and start Raya against Spurs.

The pair are no doubt top goalkeepers, and Arteta has insisted that he will be rotating between them regularly, but many speculate the Arsenal coach has decided that Raya is his permanent No.1.

Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher had on Sunday urged Ramsdale, who had been Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper since his arrival in 2021, to leave the North London club in the January transfer window.

Carragher said this after Ramsdale sat on the bench again as Raya featured in Arsenal’s derby draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

He believes the England international ‘has not done badly at Arsenal’ and should seek to join another club where he would be the first-choice goalkeeper.

Also, former Manchester City defender, Micah Richards recently urged Arteta to allow Ramsdale to leave the club and go somewhere he will be appreciated.

Richards believes Arteta should have sold Ramsdale in the summer transfer window when he signed Raya from Brentford.

Richards said: “I believe now Ramsdale’s confidence has been shot just because he [Arteta] has brought in someone and basically said he was going to use both goalkeepers.

“Ramsdale had an excellent season last season, so I don’t get it.

“If he wants to replace him, just do it in the summer. Bring in Raya as the number one and get a number two.”

Similarly, former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel claimed that Arteta signed Raya to be Arsenal’s new first-choice goalkeeper.

Friedel said, “I thought from the second they signed him [Raya] they signed him to be the new no.1. I don’t think you pay that much money for someone with one year left on their contract. I know he signed an extra contract and went on loan, but that was for other reasons.”

On his part, former Arsenal defender, Kieran Gibbs claimed that he was not startled by Arteta’s wish to sign Raya, insisting that the Arsenal manager wants a keeper who is good with his feet.

Gibbs said, “I am not surprised by Arsenal moving in for David Raya. I think he brings something a little different to Aaron. When you are in European football, it is really good to have a goalkeeper who is really good with his feet. Not saying Aaron is not it.

“But I think that is one of David’s specialities. I think having those two goalkeepers would please Mikel [Arteta] a lot.”

Also, former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel claimed Arteta is creating a problem by having two first-choice options – Raya and Ramsdale – in his squad.

Schmeichel said: “I don’t get it, I don’t understand why you want to create a competition situation for goalkeepers. The one thing you want from your goalkeeper is stability.”

DAILY POST reports that with the recent development surrounding Arsenal’s goalkeeping department, there is now a question of who will eventually cement his place as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper between Ramsdale and Raya this season under Arteta?

Speaking with DAILY POST, Audu Ojo, the head coach of Dawaki Rangers, said: “I like what Arteta is doing at Arsenal. He is trying to improve after narrowly missing out of the Premier League last season.

“The goalkeeping department is a very important aspect because I believe no coach would like to have instability or competition. Check the likes of Man City and Liverpool; these are top clubs, and Allison Becker and Ederson have been their respective undisputed first choice for several seasons.

“Yes, it is good to have players compete for starting positions in the attack, midfield and defence but not the goalkeeping department. The goalkeeping department needs stability. See what happened to Chelsea when Kepa and Mendy were competing for the number one position, it did not go well with Chelsea as both keepers eventually left the club.

“I personally think it is better to have a number one goalkeeper and also a number two goalkeeper. I see what Arteta is trying to do. This is a new trend now in the game, but I hope it works out well for him. Having two top goalkeepers competing for the starting spot would not be easy. I think Arteta, in his mind, knows his number one.”

Will Ramsdale eventually leave Arsenal on loan in the upcoming January transfer in a bid for regular playing time, considering the fact that he would like to feature for England’s national team in next year’s Euro?

Ojo added, “It is the desire of most footballers to play for their country’s national team. Of course, Ramsdale would like to be part of the England squad for the 2024 Euro championship after his impressive performance last season for Arsenal.

“I believe from now till December, if he doesn’t cement his place as Arsenal’s number one, he could think of leaving the club in January in order to get playing time because he is too good to be number two.

“A similar scenario could play out just like when Matt Turner left Arsenal for Nottingham Forest, now he is playing regularly.”