Look at @Rex all backing Arteta's decisions and shit. Turned into a full blown Artetasexual during his hiatus. We sure this man isn't a clone sent in by @Bosscielny?
Welcome back btw man. If it is really you that is.
Raya joins Arsenal
Rex Raya has the potential to be an upgrade. Right now he hasn't shown that to be the case. I think he's a quality keeper, I feel the same about Ramsdale. I think the situation has them both underperforming and as a result our theoretical upgrade has been more of a weakness compared to last season. Its not the end of the world but its a mistake Arteta needs to correct.
9 days later
Brighton had scored in every single Premier League game until today. #thedavidrayaeffect
I feel so lucky to be alive to watch this guy play.
Decent game today, no real issues other than a flap at one point
His kicking was pretty bad. Though that throw out to Martinelli mostly made up for it.
I was at the game today and I rate Raya but he was very indecisive on the ball.
He's not even top drawer on the ball/with his distribution. At least, he's not consistent with it.
Surely he's number 2 material, and the club needs to go and find our Alisson to be number 1?
Sicario2 - Tier 1 I think he's instructed to wait for the press and I think his kicking is worse as a result.
13 days later
- Edited
No chat on here re Raya for nearly two weeks = good sign tbh.
Also, this:
Great! GK situation solved!
Sweet. Now we just need him to learn how to save shots in open play and from set pieces.
a month later
My guy playing a lot more assured now and less of the ‘nerves’. Distribution better and more sharper. Now we can see why he’s an upgrade on Ramsdale.
- Edited
Odd thing to say cause there was nothing assured about his part in Liverpool's equaliser. Saliba should have hacked it away speaking completely with hindsight but better keepers are diving on that ball and making what Saliba did look like top CB play; Instead Raya is bizarrely routed to his line in a position that would make you think the ball was in the control of a a Liverpool player about to shoot. Bizarre.
He did have some good moments today though.
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Not having that, sorry. That was Saliba’s mistake all day long.
Not just about today, against Palace he played well, great saves and some really good balls to Martinelli.
I think the ‘worst’ is over with him (hopefully). The more he plays with the team the more they will be synergised and the better his performances.
Sicario2 - Tier 1 Not having that, sorry. That was Saliba’s mistake all day long.
Saliba is the primary culprit but the back five need to play as a collective, so in that situation Raya needs to take some responsibility.
At best, it's lack of communication between GK and defender, at worst Raya isn't assertive enough in collecting it from Saliba.
At worst, Saliba isn't strong enough when holding off his man in the box. It's similar to how easily he bounced off Awoniyi for Forest the other day. Has to do better. Defender's job is to clear their lines. Willy hasn't done that in that instance. If Raya is a bit more proactive he might have got to it, yes. But ultimately that's Saliba's error.
On the plus side, the distribution is different level now. Especially the throw outs for counters. Ramsdale used to have a few opportunities for these outlet throws in every game, but he'll typically run like he's about to throw it and then hold off and squeeze his face and hold his hand up in apology, before making the safe pass / throw= chance gone.