I have always maintained whatever my point of view, Arsenal can always prove me wrong.
I have often highlighted the errors that David Raya makes and feel he makes too many for the Gunners to get to the level we aspire to reach.
That’s despite him winning the Golden Glove in his first season in North London.
While of course he contributed to our 16 clean sheets last campaign, many were due to the back 4 in front of him.
I would feel more comforted if we could bring in a striker this week, but we are a team now capable of being Champions because of our defense.
Our keeper must have confidence based on what is in front of him, but do our defenders think the same?
Individual errors from the Spaniard led to goals at Chelsea, Newcastle, Luton, Lens, Porto and Spurs. last season
Yet, if I’m going to showcase when things go wrong, it’s only correct that I highlight when the goalie does something special.
Last night the 28-year-old produced a save that will show for years to come if we lift the title.
He was on the ground when Villa rattled his bar with a deflected shot and Ollie Watkins had an open goal to aim at.
The striker will be critical of himself feeling he should have aimed his header at either corner.
Yet most players assume they have scored if that finish is on target.
They don’t expect Superman’s hand to appear out of nowhere.
Anyone who’s attended a matchday will have seen the drill when a coach is taking drop shots against the goalie from a couple of yards out.
The ball is softly struck at their height because the idea is not to work on their handling but their ability to get up and down as quickly as possible. That’s what Raya did on Saturday.
It’s the second weekend in a row where he has shown a strong hand at a crucial time. So, in the first two weeks of the Premier League he showed incredible concentration levels. An area that has often been his weak point.
The howlers referred to were mostly brought on by loss of focus. Hence why out of nowhere he’s passing the ball to the opposition or too far off his line for a cross?
The very best to ever play in that position can have a quiet time for the majority of the 90 mins but deliver the one time they are asked a question.
Raya is far away from being one of the best in the world, but I have always stressed it’s a role where many don’t hit their peak form till past the age of 30.
A lot of our fanbase feel that Aaron Ramsdale has been harshly treated which maybe has taken a while to accept Raya into the family.
Yet he left Villa Park with his own song being sung by the away end.
He deserves it.
Dan
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About Raya’s errors especially the ones vs Chelsea and Newcastle from crosses, there was an interview where he talked about being taught/instructed to always anticipate the cross as it immediately kills the danger with a catch or punch. That would explain the goals conceded when he was off his line and got caught when dealing with crosses is usually one of his strongest abilities.
Correct! Against Chelsea he was perfectly positioned for the expected cross, but Mudryk mishit his shot and it went over Raya’s head into goal. Not his error at al.
Yep, he deserved song both weeks as did Ramsdale on many occasions.
Raya definitely had a baptism of fire at the beginning of his Arsenal career – in particular against City when he was a bundle of nerves for a while. He did get it together and then played well.
IMO there was definitely an element of comparison between him and Ramsdale which has taken a long time for Raya to shake off.
There can’t be a contributor on JA who doesn’t have a soft spot for Ramsdale, but for Arteta’s reasons, he preferred Raya and is currently being proved right. What we will never know is if Ramsdale could have ‘improved’ but his stuttering performance against Brentford showed a weakness or rustiness depending on your point of view.
Raya is now the first choice and looks at ease in his own skin. Let’s hope it continues.
Raya is a talented keeper and he will get even better as he has a robust back four if not back six, Arteta is building a monster of a team and as an Arsenal fan am excited that finally Man City will have to sweat to win the league unlike in the previous years when they took winning the premier league as a birthright.
Hi Sue, I don’t think MA can be being proven right or wrong in this case as much as it was simply that he wanted Raya rather than Ramsdale and he is the manager. There’s no way of knowing for certain whether Ramsdale would have done better or worse than Raya over the last season had he played, but it was MA’s decision to do the deal and bring him in. The decision to bring in another keeper has to be accepted even if not agreed with.
Keepers like any outfield player can improve as they go along. However, it’s in order to criticise them when they do have shaky performances – they are, after all, highly paid professionals, paid in part by the fans.
Raya certainly improved over last season, and his vital save yesterday shows he’s now attained a high, consistent, level of performance.
I hope Ramsdale will get his move in the few days remaining though as he deserves first team football on a regular basis. He clearly isn’t going to get that with Raya in the key position and he needs a move for his club/international career.
Fantabuluos 😄 with this kind of performance I think we’re lifting the EPL trophy 🏆 and more
No doubt that Raya is an excellent goalkeeper and Arsenal are lucky to have him. Credit to Arteta too…
“Raya is far away from being one of the best in the world”
You’re still wrong my brother
Raya has been one of the best all round goalkeepers for a number of years.
The author says his concentration has been an issue. This is simply not credible and indicates that a narrative has been created to support a negative opinion
Raya has made some mistakes some of which may have been related to pressure or nerves but his goalkeeping has generally been solid since he joined.
As a ball playing GK he is amongst the world’s best.
Perhaps you were too quick in judging him seeing that it was his first season in a new club and new system and also having the pressure to prove himself among the fans who have divided opinion about him.
This reminds me of back when we bought Seaman from QPR. The fans weren’t happy, as Lukic was a crowd favourite, but soon changed their minds as Seaman only conceded 18 goals as we went on to win the League, losing only one game.
I must say I couldn’t understand why we signed Raya, as I didn’t think he was better than Ramsdale, but I’m slowly changing my mind, though I I don’t think there’s much between them.
Great comment HD.👍
Cheers BB 👍
If we also ger Joan Garcia as a 2nd goalie, as it is rumored, then we will basically have a taller and more physical Raya for cup games.