Arteta issues firm Raya response after 'keeper told "no chance" that he'll play
Mikel Arteta has insisted David Raya's move to Arsenal was simply down to the fact he wants his Gunners side to have two talented options in each position.
Raya has been Brentford's first-choice goalkeeper for the entirety of their Premier League stay and is used to regular football. The Spain international has joined Arsenal initially on a season-long loan deal worth £3million, but his stay is expected to become a permanent one if and when the Gunners choose to activate the £27m option to buy clause.
Upon his arrival in north London, many fans and pundits speculated what this move means for Arsenal's current No.1 Aaron Ramsdale. The England ace is a beloved figure among the Emirates faithful but speculation suggesting Arteta isn't entirely convinced by the former Sheffield United shot-stopper.
Pressed for comment on the thinking behind the move to bring Raya to the club, Arteta told reporters: "He brings the qualities for our game model, it’s very simple. We want two players per position. You see what happened to Jurrien [Timber] and that could happen to our goalkeeper.
"It recently happened to [ Real Madrid ’s] Thibaut Courtois so we have to be prepared. We have to be prepared and we have to be proactive so now we have two excellent goalkeepers now who fit our style."
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Opinion is divided over who will eventually come out on top and play more games between the sticks for Arsenal. Raya has his supporters, but one man who thinks the Spain star has made a mistake by joining the Gunners is ex-Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf.
The Frenchman was emphatic in his stance that Raya will spend most of his time at the Emirates sitting on the bench and told ESPN : "I don't understand the players anymore, as you said, they don't want to play football, it's just about the club they play for and the money they get.
HAVE YOUR SAY!Who will play more games for Arsenal this season - Ramsdale or Raya? Comment below
Some feel David Raya's arrival could spell the end of Aaron Ramsdale's (pictured) reign as Arsenal's No.1 (Getty Images)"Really, what is the point? You play in the Premier League, you have been outstanding and now you're going to sit on the bench.
"We read the article with Ramsdale and we know how highly Arteta ranks him, there is no chance for Raya, unless Ramsdale gets injured, to play so again what was the point?
"Yes, Arsenal are a big club, bigger than Brentford, but what's the point of going on the bench for the Gunners? I don't get it, you will have some clubs coming up and you could sign, maybe not for a club as big as the Gunners but really at least you will play football."
Despite the rather scathing rant regarding Raya, Arteta is adamant it was a deal that needed to be done, though he conceded he could see why the transfer came under question.
"I understand but there are always questions, when we had different goalkeepers there were questions as well," the Arsenal boss added.
"There is nothing wrong we have two great left wingers and two great strikers and two great holding midfielders and that’s not a problem so this shouldn’t be a problem either."
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