Arsenal have made a habit of proving certain pundits wrong in recent years and now Jamie Redknapp has admitted he’s got egg on his face over one Gunners star.
The Gunners have landed so many new players during Mikel Arteta’s time in charge that there were always going to be those who did well and those who flopped.
We’ve seen big money buys not do the business – step forward Viktor Gyokeres – while bargain buys like Gabriel Magalhaes have been exceptional captures.
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Some players have also had to really prove themselves, either to the club’s fans or, as we see so much in the modern game, to outspoken pundits.
Now, Jamie Redknapp has admitted that he got one signing completely wrong.
Jamie Redknapp shares why he was wrong about Arsenal signing David Raya
David Raya was signed by Arsenal back in the summer of 2024 for a permanent fee of around £30m.
At the time of his initial loan deal, many felt it was harsh on then number one Aaron Ramsdale but over time, Raya has proven his worth.
And now, speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Redknapp has conceded that he got it wrong with the Spanish stopper.
“I mean David Raya what a goalkeeper,” Redknapp quipped.
“I must admit, I had my doubts when they signed him I thought was that going to be the right thing at Arsenal? But he’s been amazing.
“World-class goalkeeper now. Great distribution.”
Why David Raya is one of Mikel Arteta’s best ever signings
All the best teams in Premier League history have a brilliant goalkeeper.
Think Peter Schmeichel, David Seaman, Edwin van der Sar, Petr Cech, Ederson and Alisson. All of them were massive players for their clubs an Arsenal needed their own.
In David Raya, they’ve not only landed on a goalkeeper who is great with his feet but he also does the basic fundamentals of being a goalkeeper very well.
Can you name a better Arsenal goalkeeper than David Raya from the last 20 years?
In terms of hitting the jackpot with a signing, David Raya is as close as Arsenal have got in years.
And if they do win the Premier League title, he will have played a huge part in getting it done.
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