Arsenal legend Martin Keown has given two reasons why manager Mikel Arteta picked goalkeeper David Raya ahead of Aaron Ramsdale to start in goal in Arsenal’s last two matches against Everton and PSV Eindhoven.
Raya joined Arsenal on loan from Brentford with an option to buy in the summer transfer window. The 28-year-old made his debut for the Gunners in their 1-0 win over Everton in the Premier League last weekend. He also started again on Wednesday night as Arsenal thrashed PSV 4-0 in the Champions League.
However, Keown believes Arteta opted for Raya over Ramsdale because the Spain keeper is calm and also good with the ball on his feet.
“It is 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 is calmness personified, and that is the problem for Ramsdale. He is three to four years younger; how is he going to react to this? He didn’t look happy sitting on the bench, but he can only prove himself when he gets another opportunity. I think Arteta will leave it as it is because Raya looked very comfortable in that position.”
He added, “At the moment, I think Raya is slightly better with the ball at his feet, and that’s what gets him into the team.”