David Raya Says Relationship with Aaron Ramsdale is ‘Very Healthy’ After Replacing Him as Arsenal’s First-Choice Goalkeeper
David Raya has revealed he has a ‘very healthy’ relationship with Aaron Ramsdale after replacing him as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper. Raya joined the Gunners on a season-long loan from Brentford with the option to make that deal permanent next summer if they pay a £27million fee.
Ramsdale remained Mikel Arteta’s no1 for the first four Premier League games of the season but was dropped for the visit to Everton in September. The England international’s only appearances since then came against Brentford in the Carabao Cup with Raya also preferred in Champions League games against PSV Eindhoven and RC Lens.
Despite the two being in a constant battle for the no1 role, the Spaniard insists there is no animosity between the pair. ‘The relationship? It’s very good,’ said Raya. ‘At the end of the day, we are mates, which is the important thing. We have a very healthy relationship. There are no problems.’
Raya Eager to Make His Arsenal Stay Permanent
Raya added that he and Ramsdale push each other every day in training and that Arteta gives him the confidence to be there. Despite being just six games into his Arsenal career, Raya is already eager to make the Emirates his permanent home. ‘Yes, I would have done it yesterday [if I could],’ he said when asked about the option to make his loan permanent.
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday 21 October when they head to Chelsea. The Gunners are joint top of the Premier League following their win over Manchester City prior to the international break, level on points with neighbours Tottenham.
Conclusion
David Raya has revealed he has a ‘very healthy’ relationship with Aaron Ramsdale after replacing him as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper. Despite being in a constant battle for the no1 role, Raya insists there is no animosity between the two and that they push each other every day in training. Raya is already eager to make his loan move to Arsenal permanent and is hoping to help them maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table when they face Chelsea on Saturday 21 October.