Mikel Arteta has handed David Raya a chance to stake his claim to be Arsenal’s No.1 goalkeeper (Picture: Getty)
David Raya is set to win his battle with Aaron Ramsdale and is primed to become the club’s undisputed No.1 goalkeeper.
The England international had started all four Premier League games prior to the international break but was relegated to the substitutes’ bench last weekend as the Gunners resumed their campaign at Everton.
Summer signing David Raya made his debut in a rare 1-0 win at Goodison Park and kept his place for last night’s thumping Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven.
Raya, who has joined initially on loan from Brentford, put in another polished display and, according to The Mirror, is now the overwhelming favourite to start against Spurs in Sunday’s north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s decision to recruit the 28-year-old to battle it out with Ramsdale drew criticism and caution from some pundits but manager Mikel Arteta believes he can keep both happy.
Asked if he had to believe he could oust Ramsdale after the England goalkeeper’s strong showings last season, Raya replied: ‘Of course, it is something every player has to do – to back yourself to get in the team and that is why I moved to Arsenal and try to do my best for the team when I’m selected.
‘You never know when you’re going to play and that is the hardest thing to do. Making your debut for a club like Arsenal, and obviously having Aaron as a team-mate makes it a bit harder for you, but it came quick but you never know when it is going to be and you have to be ready.
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‘It is a dream come true to play at the highest level so I’m very pleased to make my debut, but the main thing was the result and we got the three points in the end, so that is the main thing.’
‘I understand that and I think it is the first time that two top goalkeepers are in the same team,’ Raya added when asked about of the possibility of the goalkeepers being switched regularly throughout the season.
‘That is just part of football now and the gaffer wants two top players for each position and that is what we have to work with. I have played the last two games and now we see what happens on Sunday.
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‘I’ve just been selected the last two games, that is just the choice of the gaffer – that is his choice, not my choice and when Aaron comes in he will need to also fight for the team and to win games.
‘He (Ramsdale) has been great, he is a great team-mate, a leader as well. He is a great lad and a great keeper as well, we are team-mates and that is the main thing.
‘We are team-mates at the end of the day.’
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