Arteta told to drop £85k-a-week Arsenal ace who’s ‘making mistakes every single week’

Add as preferred source on Google

Iconic former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes now wants to see Mikel Arteta bench struggling Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

David Raya became the first-choice Arsenal shot-stopper shortly after his arrival on a season-long loan deal in the recent summer transfer window, knocking Aaron Ramsdale down a place in the pecking order.

Whilst Raya is currently only at the Emirates Stadium on a temporary basis, the Gunners are expected to pay £27 million in order to make his switch to north London permanent.

However, there are still doubts about the Spaniard’s ability to excel as the Arsenal No. 1. Raya has made some high profile errors in recent weeks, and did not cover himself in glory at St James’ Park last time out. The £85,000-a-week man flapped at the cross, without making any contact on the ball, which led to Newcastle’s winning goal.

On top of that, he was caught out in similar fashion against Chelsea as Mykhailo Mudryk’s looping cross/shot landed in the back of the net.

Raya has been unconvincing on the ball, too. His distribution has been extremely hit and miss and some of his misplaced short passes have landed Arsenal in real trouble.

David Raya has triumphed over Aaron Ramsdale for better or worse

Now, Paul Scholes has made his feelings clear. He wants to see Ramsdale come back into the regular Arsenal starting XI. As quoted by TNT Sports, the former Red Devil said, “I think the goalkeeping situation has brought question marks, when I don’t think there was any need for it. I think [Aaron] Ramsdale’s done very well.”

“OK, he’s probably not as good with his feet, but Ramsdale’s still very capable with his feet and this keeper [David Raya] has come in and he’s making mistakes every single week.”

Ramsdale was certainly harshly treated. The 25-year-old had done little to lose his place, and has since made it clear that the decision hurt him.

However, clearly Arteta feels that Raya is the better tactical fit for how he wants his Arsenal team to play. Early talk of rotating the goalkeepers regularly has amounted to nothing. It seems that the battle for supremacy between the sticks has been won by Raya, even if it isn’t immediately obvious as to what makes him such a preferable choice.