Aaron Ramsdale is under increasing pressure to maintain his position as Arsenal’s number-one goalkeeper amid the threat from rookie David Raya.
Coach Mikel Arteta is seriously considering giving Raya, who came to the Emirates on loan from Brentford, a chance to start in the coming weeks.
Ramsdale has established himself as the Gunners’ number-one goalkeeper since he arrived in North London from Sheffield United in 2021, and is considered by many to be the second-best goalkeeper in England, behind only the number one keeper. one of England’s Jordan Pickford.
Ramsdale was also named in the PFA Team of the Season after the 2022/23 season ended.
However, Arteta seems to want to give Raya a chance to confirm that he is capable of starting regularly for the first team. It remains to be seen when Arteta decides to make this bold change, but the Arsenal manager’s fellow goalkeeper has made a deep impression in training, especially with his ability to play the ball from the backline. defense.
If the Premier League is too risky for a debut in an important position like goalkeeper, Raya’s first opportunity may come in the Carabao Cup, in the match against old club Brentford on September 27.
Premier League regulations do not allow Raya to play against their parent team, but in the Carabao Cup, players can play against their own team, still on the official payroll, as long as they are allowed. In this case, because Arsenal borrows for a fee, Brentford can hardly object to Arteta using Raya.
Arsenal signed a contract with the Spanish goalkeeper on a season-long loan worth 3 million pounds and 2 million in add-ons, with an option to buy permanently in the summer of 2024.