Pundit explains what Aaron Ramsdale brings to Arsenal that David Raya does not after loss last night

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The scrutiny over Arsenal’s goalkeeping dilemma looks set to continue, as David Raya made another questionable error in his side’s Champions League defeat last night.

The Spaniard was signed this summer to the surprise of many, and has now seemingly usurped Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order.

However, after an initially solid start, Raya was partly to blame for Tottenham Hotspur’s first goal in the North London derby, and played a huge role in RC Lens’ equaliser last night.

Raya’s mistake

Raya was brought in as a keeper renowned for his excellent passing ability, but so far this has yet to be seen from the 27-year-old, and his stray pass directly led to Lens’ first goal, which he could not prevent from going in.

Speaking on ESPN FC, former Chelsea player Craig Burley pointed out that Ramsdale has a physical advantage over Raya, which may mean he had a better chance at saving the shot from Adrien Thomasson.

“Looking at that goal there, that was a great goal from a Lens perspective, Raya doesn’t have the stature of Ramsdale,” he stated.

“Ramsdale’s much bigger, taller, has more of a wingspan. There’s an argument to say he might have saved something like that.

“I saw him make some absolutely tremendous saves last year, Ramsdale, tip of the finger stuff, and I think, whilst they did not lose to Lens because of David Raya alone, I go back to this point this was a very, very big and harsh decision on somebody who was terrific for the most part for Arsenal last year.”

Should Ramsdale have played instead?

When Raya came in for Ramsdale away at Everton, many assumed that whilst Ramsdale was to sit out Premier League games for the time being, he could still be given an opportunity in the Champions League.

His tendency to perform better away from home could have made him well suited to the intense atmosphere at Lens last night, and having helped Arsenal reach the Champions League, he deserves a chance in the competition.

So far, the differences between Raya and Ramsdale have been minimal, but Raya should be given time before his place in the team is questioned. The Spaniard needs a run of games, and constantly changing goalkeepers benefits neither player.