Mikel Arteta 'seriously considering' Arsenal goalkeeper change

Forum 9 months ago

Mikel Arteta 'seriously considering' Arsenal goalkeeper change

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaaron Ramsdale is rumoured to be coming under increasing pressure for his place from summer signing David Raya.

The Gunners brought in Raya on an initial loan from Brentford last month to provide top level competition between the sticks and could sign the Spaniard on a permanent basis next year in a deal worth £30m in total.

Raya had established himself as one of the Premier League's better goalkeepers since helping Brentford into the top flight in 2021 and has been named in every single Spain squad following his first senior call-up 18 months ago – that includes the victorious Nations League finals this summer.

But, despite his reputation, he is yet to make his Arsenal debut and has been on the bench as a back-up for each of the three Premier League games since he arrived.

That could change, though. The Daily Mail has reported that manager Mike Arteta is giving "serious consideration" to affording Raya an extended spell in the team relatively soon. Even with Ramsdale's obvious qualities, which have seen him become established in the England squad and even make it into the 2022/23 PFA Team of the Year, it seems that Arteta could give Raya a chance.

It is said that Raya, known for the technical side of his game, has particularly impressed in training.

Unless Arteta makes the change sooner, there is every chance that Raya could make his Arsenal debut when the Gunners face Brentford in the Carabao Cup third round towards the end of September. Unlike the Premier League, competition rules would allow the 27-year-old to play against his parent club as long as they don’t object to it, which isn’t considered likely.