Despite speculation, there was never any doubt at Arsenal that David Raya would sign full-time for Brentford this summer following his loan spell.
Mikel Arteta gave Raya his Premier League debut Everton in September – a game the Gunners won 1-0.
The coach said after the victory that he “didn’t have number one” and “had two great goalkeepers”: Raya and Aaron Ramsdale.
In fact, he had already made up his mind. The Spanish international was made number one after a strong recommendation from goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, who Raya had previously worked with at Brentford.
Arteta wanted opposing teams to put pressure on his goalkeeper and then his goalkeeper to overcome that pressure with his passing ability. Raya was an upgrade on Ramsdale in that regard.
Arteta’s decision to keep Raya in goal has been questioned several times – particularly after mistakes by Lens in the Champions League and their rivals Tottenham in the Premier League.
With fan favorite Ramsdale on the bench, the pressure was mounting – but Raya calmed down in the new year and won over fans with a stunning penalty save against Porto at the Emirates Stadium.
He then won the Premier League Golden Glove with 16 clean sheets.
And with Raya at number one, Arsenal will now need to make a decision about selling number two, Ramsdale.
Will the Gunners be able to keep Ramsdale?
Or, if he leaves, who should Arteta choose to be his backup goalkeeper?
