David Raya impresses in Arsenal debut as Martin Keown questions Aaron Ramsdale’s future
David Raya made an impressive start to life at Arsenal on Wednesday night, as the Gunners secured a 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League return. The Spaniard, who joined on loan from Brentford with an option to buy in the summer, has started both of Arsenal’s matches since his arrival and is yet to concede a goal.
Former Arsenal captain Martin Keown believes that Aaron Ramsdale, who has been a virtual ever-present figure since replacing Bernd Leno, will have a tough time getting back in the team given Raya’s level of performance thus far.
‘It’s going to be difficult to unseat Raya now that he’s got into the team,’ Keown said on TNT Sport. ‘There was a montage of [Raya’s] long balls and calm moments. He’s calmness personified and that’s the problem for Ramsdale.
Raya’s impressive start to life at Arsenal
Raya made his debut for the club in their 1-0 win over Everton last weekend and impressed at Brentford during their first two seasons in the Premier League before making clear his desire to leave at the end of the last campaign. His consistent level of performance earned him a move to the North London club and Keown believes it could give him the edge over Ramsdale.
‘Is Arteta looking back to some of the situations last season, like against Southampton, where there were some difficult moments for Ramsdale,’ the former Arsenal captain said.
‘Does he feel this goalkeeper Raya is better in those situations and calmer? Does he look at Pep and look at what he did to Joe Hart, look at how he was jettisoned out of the team? Maybe it starts with the keeper. There are high standards – maybe he’s the key player in all of this.
‘I think at the moment I think Raya is slightly better with the ball at his feet and that’s what gets him in the team.’
Ramsdale’s challenge to regain his spot
Ramsdale has been a virtual ever-present figure since replacing Bernd Leno after his move from Sheffield United, but Keown believes the Englishman will have a tough time getting back in the team given Raya’s level of performance thus far.
Keown believes that Raya’s calmness and ability with the ball at his feet gives him an edge over Ramsdale and that Mikel Arteta may be looking back to some of the difficult moments Ramsdale had last season when making his decision.
Ramsdale will have to prove himself when he gets another opportunity if he is to regain his spot in the starting XI, but it will be a challenging task given Raya’s impressive start to life at Arsenal.
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