30 January 2024 , 18:58
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Ben White has heaped praise on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya despite a difficult start to life in north London following his arrival on loan from Brentford this summer.
Eyebrows were raised from both fans and pundits alike when Raya joined given it was clear he was too good to be playing back-up, but the Gunners already had a more than capable No.1 in Aaron Ramsdale. It soon became clear that it was Ramsdale who'd be taking up room on the bench, while the Bees loanee lined up between the sticks.
It has hardly been an easy, error-free start for the Spaniard, with Raya guilty of a number of blunders already in his short Arsenal career. He was guilty of some questionable goalkeeping against Newcastle and Chelsea in October, while also at fault for two goals during the 4-3 win over Luton before Christmas.
As a result, many feel as if Arteta made the wrong call by dropping Ramsdale for Raya and have called for the England international to be reinstated as first-choice. However, team-mate White has had some words of encouragement for the under-fire shot-stopper.
Speaking to Arsenal's website, the versatile defender claimed: "David has such good qualities and that’s why he’s playing for Arsenal.
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"The way he’s come in and had a few sticky moments but shown that he can come back from them and play so well, some of the saves that he’s pulled off were unbelievable so he’s done really well."
Arteta has been passionate in his defence of Raya in light of all the criticism, publicly backing the goalkeeper after some of his most high-profile blunders. The Arsenal boss did exactly that after the two errors away at Luton.
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David Raya has dislodged Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal No.1 (Getty Images)"If you look at his form and what he has achieved since he’s been with us, it’s really, really impressive," Arteta said of Raya last month. "What can I say? I have three great goalkeepers, and I’m really happy… We have to support our players in the best possible way.
"We have to protect them and get the best out of them. I will focus much more on that. Every player needs support and love and they deserve that.
"[He’s had that] from us, for sure, and he will continue to have that."
It is widely expected that Arsenal will make Raya's loan switch permanent come the end of the campaign. Rumours are rife regarding Ramsdale's own long-term future at the club.