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Pundit says he actually thinks Arsenal substitute is ‘far better’ than £30m teammate
Mark Schwarzer believes that Arsenal have a player on their bench who is actually far better than a teammate who has started the last 14 Premier League games for the Gunners.
Arsenal appear to be hitting their straps at the perfect time. Mikel Arteta’s men have been in irresistible form of late, scoring 31 goals across their last seven top-flight fixtures.
In that time, they have also only conceded three goals. And it does appear that David Raya has silenced the debate over whether Arsenal were right to sign him on loan in the summer.
Mark Schwarzer thinks Aaron Ramsdale is a better goalkeeper than David Raya
Of course, Raya had a massive point to prove after his arrival ahead of the season. There appeared to be no reason for Mikel Arteta to drop Aaron Ramsdale, particularly after he had just signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates.
But Arteta made the change early on in the campaign. And – barring the clash against parent club Brentford – Raya has not missed a minute in the Premier League since.
The Spaniard’s form has silenced a lot of his doubters. But speaking on , Mark Schwarzer believes that Arteta created a problem which never needed to exist. And actually, the better goalkeeper is the one on the bench right now.
“He’s only dug himself a hole because of what he said. And he said, when he signed David Raya, there’s no number one. Basically, he went on to say why can’t I change a goalkeeper, why can’t I bring a goalkeeper on at a certain time in a game,” he said.
“Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I just don’t know anywhere on the planet that works. Of course it works in penalty shootouts. That happens. Obviously goalkeepers come on when goalkeepers get injured. That’s just a forced substitution.
“Maybe I’m blind, but I don’t see the big difference between Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya. If anything, to be perfectly honest with you, I think Aaron Ramsdale’s a better goalkeeper. All round, a far better goalkeeper. I don’t understand it.”
Mikel Arteta definitely took a big gamble
Of course, it is impossible to know for sure whether Arteta made the right call. What you would say is that Raya could be a bargain at when he signs permanently.
But whether it was worth the drama may only become clear if the Gunners go on and win the Premier League title with Raya as number one.
Certainly, Arteta took a massive gamble when he decided to make that signing.