David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale's unseen moments speak volumes during Arsenal win
David Raya’s arrival at Arsenal certainly raised eyebrows, but the Spaniard looks to have settled in with one specific member of the Gunners crop seamlessly.
Many continue to speculate on what his presence at Arsenal means for the future of current No. 1 Aaron Ramsdale, with fans and pundits alike questioning whether the Gunners can juggle having two starting quality shot-stoppers vying for the one role.
It has been a while since Arsenal have found themselves in such a position and slightly older members of the Gunners faithful will remember the relentless reports of a rift back when Jens Lehman was ousted from his post by Manuel Almunia in the almost 20 years ago.
Football in general, but particularly goalkeeping can be especially cut-throat. Rotation isn't and has never been a thing between the sticks. Ramsdale himself has addressed the fight on his hands with Raya aiming to steal his shirt, and to that the England international has claimed: “Bring it on!”
During Raya’s first interview as an Arsenal player after his loan move from Brentford, the 27-year-old insisted that he “can’t wait to be out there training with the lads and getting that GK Union going.”
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All of the pairs interactions in the pre-match warm-up suggested that was the case.
While of course by this stage all eyes were firmly on kick-off and there was a certain degree of tension, the pair were spotted chatting happily to one another while being put through their paces by goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana.
Cana finds himself embroiled in this Raya vs Ramsdale debate, purely due to his ties with the former. The pair worked closely during their shared time together at Brentford and it was Cana who recommended the ex-Bees ‘keeper before Arsenal even signed their current No.1.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya interacts with Aaron Ramsdale ahead of kickoff (Getty Images)None of that baggage appears to be playing in the mind of either Ramsdale or Raya, with the pair embracing and giggling to each other after they both struck the frame of the goal during a spot of pre-match crossbar challenge.
Third choice ‘keeper Karl Hein was also present, but it was Ramsdale and Raya, who have been only team-mates for less than a fortnight, doing all the talking.
At one stage, the pair started to hit sidewinders to each other and both applauded the others pinpoint pass - the mutual admiration between the two is clear. Ramsdale is aware of the threat Raya poses, while the Spaniard knows he has to shine and then some to dislodge the 25-year-old.
Rarely do you see the substitute goalkeeper remain on the pitch at half-time, but it is a testament to Raya’s technical prowess that he was right there fizzing passes to Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard.
45 minutes later, he was back on the field, locked in an embrace with Ramsdale after Arsenal held on their 1-0 victory courtesy of a Martin Odegaard penalty.
Whether their relationship remains quite so positive as Raya continues his pursuit to become Arsenal’s first-choice remains to be seen, but for now, if their interactions at Selhurst Park are anything to go by, it looks like the two Gunners goalkeepers are firmly in the honeymoon phase.
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