Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal No 1 goalkeeper decision after signing David Raya on £3m loan transfer
MIKEL ARTETA has warned Aaron Ramsdale his No 1 spot is not safe after the signing of David Raya.
Raya has arrived at the Emirates on an initial £3million loan from Brentford with an option to make the switch permanent for £27m next summer.
The Spaniard was recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League last season, helping the Bees finish ninth.
And now, 25-year-old Ramsdale, who is the current incumbent between the Arsenal sticks, has been warned he cannot rest on his laurels.
Asked whether he has a clear choice for his No 1 going forward, Arteta insisted there was “no number one”.
He said: “We have two great goalkeepers, just like we have two great left-wingers, two great holding midfielders, two great strikers.
“There is no number one, not in any position.”
Arteta went on to say the addition of Raya, 27, would add to the quality of the squad.
He explained: “He brings the qualities for our game model, it’s very simple. We want two players per position.”
The former midfielder then referenced the injury of Jurrien Timber – who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee – as to why the Gunners want to double up in every position.
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Arteta added: “You see what happened to Jurrien [Timber] and that could happen to our goalkeeper. It recently happened to [Real Madrid’s] Thibaut Courtois so we have to be prepared.
“We have to be prepared and we have to be proactive so now we have two excellent goalkeepers now who fit our style.”
Arsenal kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest thanks to goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka.
The north Londoners are expected to dip into the transfer market for a new defender following Timber’s injury, which could see him miss the ENTIRE SEASON.
Reports suggest they will escalate their interest in “Plan B” defender Mohamed Simakan from RB Leipzig.
They face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park next Monday – with the Eagles boosted by starlet Michael Olise snubbing Chelsea in favour of a new deal at Palace.
Roy Hodgson’s outfit also have a win under their belt after beating Sheffield United 1-0 in their opening game.
The match proved to be a feisty one as 76-year-old Hodgson clashed with Blades defender Max Lowe, 50 years his junior.
Although Lowe later revealed the abs of the ex-England boss were harder than he expected.
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