David Raya finally speaks out on Mikel Arteta’s decision to bench Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
David Raya believes he is unclear whether he has done enough to keep his spot in the Arsenal goal ahead of Aaron Ramsdale ahead of Sunday’s north London derby.
On Sunday, the summer acquisition from Brentford made his debut in place of the England international, keeping a clean sheet in a rare victory for his new team at Goodison Park.
Ramsdale was forced to sit out Arsenal’s successful return to the Champions League following a six-year absence on Wednesday night.
David Raya finally speaks out on Mikel Arteta’s decision to bench Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Raya put in another polished performance as Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 victory, but the Spaniard thinks it is not a given that he will start against Spurs.
‘It’s his decision, not mine,’ Raya remarked of Mikel Arteta’s decision to rotate his keepers. ‘When Aaron returns, he must battle for the team and win games.
‘I understand [the discussions surrounding the choice], and I believe it’s the first time two elite keepers have been on the same team, so that’s just part of football now. The coach wants two top players for each position, and that’s what we’ve got.
‘I played the last two games, and I’m not sure what will happen on Sunday.’
After the Dutch champions were defeated, Arteta was asked to comment on a decision that has cast doubt on Ramsdale’s role in his long-term plans.
‘It’s the belief that I had in the team that I wanted to play with the expected opponent,’ said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in his post-match press conference.
‘Not only that, but all of the alterations we made with all of the players were for the same purpose.’
