Arteta must do one thing before making vital Arsenal decision
Robin Bairner
- 30 Oct 2023 12:29 GMT
- 3 min read
Mikel Arteta’s decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal with David Raya has not been without controversy, yet it appears to be one that the manager is prepared to stick behind.
With Raya installed as the Gunners’ new goalkeeper, it begs the question what will happen to Ramsdale.
Reports have varied over what might happen to the England international goalkeeper during the January transfer window, but the latest indications are that Arsenal are prepared to pull a U-turn over their initial stance and sell the 25-year-old.
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It is a logical step that Ramsdale would want first-team football ahead of Euro 2024, and while his support for Raya has been professional, he clearly needs to think selfishly if his career is to progress.
Arteta, too, appears to be justified in his decision to instal Raya as his No.1. According to data analytics experts SciSports, Raya is not only better than Ramsdale currently, but better than the former Bournemouth man will ever be.
And yet there is still one thing that Arsenal need to do before they make a hard-and-fast decision to sell their backup option.
The Gunners need to find a willing support for Raya.
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Questions over Hein as Raya backup
Arteta has previously spoken up the talent of third-choice option Karl Hein, but the 21-year-old Estonian has more international appearances than first-team outings.
He has popped up on the bench from time to time, but his sole outing for the Gunners came in an EFL Cup defeat to Brighton last season. It is inadequate preparation for potentially stepping into a first-team position at one of the biggest clubs in the world should Raya suffer a significant injury.
Indeed, Arteta may be well advised to loan him out in January to prepare the youngster for such a role in the 2024/25 campaign if his long-term future does indeed lie at the Emirates. Under contract until 2025, that is not yet clear.
Meanwhile, experienced and capable cover for Raya will need to be found before Ramsdale can be allowed to depart, a task that Arteta and his recruitment team are no doubt hard at work.
