Of all the players Mikel Arteta has sold at Arsenal in recent years, perhaps Granit Xhaka and Emile Smith Rowe’s departures have been the most controversial.
Arteta has also sold both Joe Willock and Folarin Balogun at Arsenal when many fans still thought they had a lot more left to offer.
Of course, Arteta has been proved right more often than not, the reason why supporters in N5 now completely ‘trust the process’ under the Spaniard.
David Raya wasn’t a popular arrival at the time, nor was Kai Havertz – two players who are now crucial to Arsenal’s chances of winning the league.
That being said, Arsenal have also let a few talented goalkeepers go in recent years.
Aaron Ramsdale joined Emiliano Martinez in departing for a Premier League rival, even if the former seems destined to end up in the Championship.
Mikel Arteta told he should not have let Emiliano Martinez leave Arsenal
Whilst many took issue with Ramsdale being replaced, when speaking on the ‘Seaman Says’ podcast, former goalkeeper David James was more concerned about Arteta’s decision to sell Martinez back in 2020.
James recalled that Arteta chose to keep Bernd Leno over Martinez at the time, a decision he seemed to disagree with.
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And when looking at the situation right now, the former England international thought Martinez was still the ‘perfect’ keeper for the Gunners.
James said: “It’s interesting when you look at the Raya situation at Arsenal, the Ramsdale situation at Arsenal and the fact that Martinez was allowed to go because of Leno, who’s a decent goalkeeper but doesn’t necessarily have character.
“Martinez would have been the perfect goalkeeper, I think, for Arsenal right now.”
Arsenal are in safe hands with David Raya
Of course, it’s hard to agree with James on this one, Arsenal are evidently in perfect hands with Raya.
David Seaman noticed Raya had his confidence back this season – a player who has proved a definite upgrade on Ramsdale.
Arteta took a risk when deciding to oust Ramsdale, a keeper who had just won a PFA TOTS award and was beginning to play for England.
But Raya has justified his compatriot’s decisions with some remarkable saves this season.
And there’s no doubt that the Spaniard is a more consistent presence at the Emirates Stadium, a keeper ready to win trophies.
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