There is such a common misconception in football when it comes to second-choice goalkeepers. According to many, the understudy is meant to provide some competition to the number one, but not be on the same level in terms of ability because they are unlikely to play many matches throughout the season.
So eyebrows were raised when it was reported that Arsenal had entered the race for Brentford’s £40 million-rated shot-stopper David Raya, leading to a wide variety of theories on social media. Some were speculating that manager Mikel Arteta no longer trusts his current number one Aaron Ramsdale and there were others who believed that the Gunners don't need to invest in another top-level goalkeeper.
Ramsdale had some excellent moments for Arsenal last season but he also made some costly mistakes. He’s still a valuable member of Arteta’s squad but the Englishman could benefit from being kept on his toes with the potential arrival of Raya.
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Let’s not forget when Ramsdale first arrived at the Emirates Stadium in 2021 that he had to tussle with Bernd Leno for the number one spot and as we know he eventually deposed the German as Arteta’s first choice. Since Leno’s departure for Fulham, Ramsdale hasn’t faced the same competition he provided Leno, with Matt Turner his closest rival.
Raya has built up a strong reputation with the Bees in recent years and his performances last season saw him widely viewed as one of the best keepers in the Premier League. It has been known for a while that he is seeking a step up in his career and with one year left on his current contract, a move to Arsenal would offer him that.
Should the Gunners acquire his services, they will boast two top goalkeepers and there will be more than enough games for the pair to divide amongst themselves. After all, Raya wouldn’t commit himself to Arsenal unless he was guaranteed minutes.
For the first time in seven years, Arsenal will be back in the Champions League in 2023-24 which will guarantee the goalkeepers a minimum of an extra six matches up for grabs alongside the 38 league fixtures and two matches in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup competitions.
Both would get a respectable amount of game time and by having two solid options to choose from Arteta and Arsenal can only benefit. That added pressure Ramsdale could soon have in training with Raya pushing for a place in the starting lineup will surely see his performance in training rise.
For those questioning this potential transfer, the easiest way of looking at it is that in any other area of the pitch you would want your club to have a high-level talent to come in should the number one option be absent at any point. You wouldn’t be happy to have the unproven teenager thrown into a Premier League game and then expect him to turn in a Player of the Match performance. You want that person to be just as talented as the starting option to not only offer cover but promote a healthy competition for places game by game.
Dialling back to the misconception of second-choice goalkeepers, people often confuse the roles with that of the third-choice options - the likes of Tom Heaton and Scott Carson for Manchester United and Manchester City respectively. These goalkeepers take part in training and are left on standby in case the worst happens and the number one or deputy gets injured. In 37-year-old Carson’s case, his role will be viewed as a part-coaching position to help with the younger heads in the squad and to prepare him for the next step of his career.
This is very different to what Arsenal would have if they were to boast Ramsdale (25) and Raya (27). The pair each have years left to contend at the highest level and that puts Arsenal in a great position for their long term future. And it is just another positive indication of how Arteta is strengthening his squad to get closer to Manchester City in the upcoming campaign.
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