Raya joins Arsenal: Page 2 - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

Raya joins Arsenal

TambourineMan

I seem to remember Ramsdale going straight in for Leno when he was signed. I wonder if it'll be the same with Raya. Arteta does not seem to be the sentimental type.

Claudius

This is a possession signing. I doubt he improves us on shot stopping, but he will be able to beat the press’s and make us more secure under pressure. Our bottom just got raised big time.

Gazza M

Claudius the floor has been spit-shined to within in an inch of its life. hopefully we clear a few of the cobwebs on the ceiling next summer

Qwiss

I really like Raya but there's always the worry that he's Spanish.

flobaba

Yeah!

Wait. What?

invisibleman18

Not sure about this. Would feel sad if the intention is to replace Ramsdale as I love him, think he's great and a big personality in the dressing room and been a big part of the shift in culture. We just gave him a new contract too I believe. And I don't see justification for replacing him with Raya. I get that it makes the position stronger in that we have another of a similar level to call on if one is out but as we've seen in the recent past that will work for one season but next summer the one who's not picked will be leaving to be number 1 elsewhere. I guess that's just the nature of elite competition but I'm personally not seeing an upgrade being signed here.

Difficult to know whether the intention is to replace Ramsdale which comes a bit out of nowhere for me Or is it more that an unexpected opportunity came up? We've been interested in Raya for a while and probably didn't expect he still wouldn't have moved at this point in the window. And if Turner was set on leaving we had to sign someone and an opportunity was there for someone who's been a number 1 in this league. Can't imagine either is keen to not play this season when there's a Euros squad to make next summer too.

Claudius

invisibleman18 I think it’s the latter - unexpected opportunity. We know Turner isn’t good enough as a back up in a pivotal season. And Inaki Cana, our goalkeeping coach, really rates Raya and has a good relationship with him. We looked at him a couple of seasons ago. So it’s a move that has been cooking. It’s clear Arteta/Edu are always after improvement opportunities. This guy gives us Ederson level possession play.

Big Willie

mdgoonah41 we are essentially paying £20m for him, because we are getting £10m for turner, and they are swapping spots in the squad.

Not really since we spent 5-6m on Turner just 12 months ago. Also the 10m is 7m + 3m in potential addons.

Anyways, welcome to the club Raya. Much as I really like Aaron, his kicking has gone to shit over mid to recent past and I'm not sure whether that's a confidence thing or something else entirely because we know what he's capable of when he really gets going.

Raya's pretty great on the ball, especially his long kicking, and even though we don't necessarily play it long often, it would be a good option to have in certain situations. Overall I can see this being a good signing for the coming season whether it be directly as a result of Raya winning the spot himself, or whether it be indirectly through the competition he gives Aaron that propels the latter to greater heights.

Coombs

I think Ramsdale improved already. He and Raya will push each other hard. It's a new time in goalkeeping and we're on the forefront.

banduan

Raya is a better shot stopper than Ramsdale who relies too much on anticipation and reflexes but has poor technique and body position.

I don't think Ramsdale makes that many clangers at all and comparing to Leno on that front is nuts. The bloke at one point had the most errors leading to goals in the league.

Gazza M

Brentford fans do have extremely high opinion of him

QuincyAbeyie

Gazza M this definitely isn't @RocktheCasbah 's mate!

lorddulaarsenal

I’m a lil worried about his Spanishness.

RocktheCasbah

QuincyAbeyie it isn't, but it could've been. I don't rate Raya (as a significant upgrade on Rammers) cos I've seen him in action, not because of what my mates say. 🙂

Anyway, I've seen it said the idea is for them to genuinely compete for the shirt and, I've said it before, nobody here is going to argue Raya isn't better than Matt Turner. Perhaps if Raya had been here last season, Aaron could have taken some time out when his wife had that terrible miscarriage.. I don't loved the signing, but let's see what happens.

Clrnc

QuincyAbeyie haha.

Yeah but looking through Brentford forum he's universally praised and they said he will be missed. Really feels like Rams spot will be 2nd very soon as Arteta normally changes things quite fast like Rams over Leno

Gurgen

Excellent signing in my view. Either he performs better than Ramsdale and gets into the team or Ramsdale up his game and improves further. Win-win.

awooga83

Ramsdale seems to be a good character but in top level sport your want the best players and competition is good for that. There is no need to worry about Ramsdale if he comes out the other side he'll likely have proven what many believe it hope he's capable of.If not then we will have likely improved that position. I don't know anything about Raya myself so would have to defer on that to others views about what they think he may offer.But competition is good I think you always want that in a top team as you try to improve.

RocktheCasbah

There is that - but I also think this signing, the more I think of it, is specifically about Arsenal being able to play the way Arteta wants to whoever is in goal. The signing of David Raya gives us the chance to do so.

GooneriC

I don't like the fact that we've dumped close to £90 million on Havertz and Raya and we still don't have a top striker. Doesn't make sense

Pepe LeFrits

GooneriC I don't like the fact that we've dumped close to £90 million on Havertz and Raya and we still don't have a top striker. Doesn't make sense

Better than dumping 90 mill on a striker who isn't any good and having no depth in midfield or in goal I'd say

Clrnc

GooneriC Only does not make sense if we have no money left. We can still buy a striker if we want.

Mirth

GooneriC which striker?

banduan

Mikel to Raya: We need you to give Rambo competition!

Turner to Mikel: 😢

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