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‘I’ve got to say’… Chris Sutton says £30m Arsenal player really has been ‘outstanding’ this season
Chris Sutton has shared what he has made of the form of David Raya for Arsenal this season, as he suggested that Mikel Arteta may regret what he previously said about having two top-class goalkeepers at Arsenal.
David Raya has done brilliantly over the last few months. There was a lot of surprise when the Gunners decided to bring the Spaniard in on loan with an option to buy which could see him signed for around .
Aaron Ramsdale had been superb for Arsenal. And he was rewarded with a new long-term contract towards the end of last season. So it was a shock to see him lose his place to Raya early on in the campaign.
Chris Sutton praises Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya
Mikel Arteta gave that he would rotate his goalkeepers fairly regularly. But since Raya’s league debut for Arsenal, Ramsdale has only featured in one top-flight game. And that was the game against Brentford Raya was ineligible for.
Arsenal face the Bees again this weekend, so Ramsdale is set to start. But speaking on , Chris Sutton suggested that there is no longer any discussion over who the number one is.
“I understand the focus from the outside looking in. But the Ramsdale/Raya debate is done now. And I’ve had my own view, I thought Ramsdale was really harshly treated. But essentially, Mikel Arteta has stuck with Raya. And I’ve got to say Raya’s been outstanding for Arsenal,” he said.
“I think that maybe he would regret, Mikel Arteta, his choice of words when talking about the rotation. I think that most people then assumed it would be a couple of games for each or whatever. But what he’s judged on, Mikel Arteta? He’s judged on winning games. He needs his Arsenal team to win a trophy. They were competitive last season, really competitive, and it’s about making that next step. And he has felt that Raya is the number one goalkeeper, then of course, he has to then pick him.”
Spaniard has silenced his doubters
Raya has been so consistent. There were major concerns about Raya after he endured a nightmare evening against Luton in December. But he has silenced a lot of the debate over his place in the side.
Arsenal are surely going to make his move permanent. And unless his form dips dramatically, it feels a safe bet to suggest that Raya is likely to be at the Emirates after Ramsdale has moved on.