Mikel Arteta has revealed the behind-the-scenes tension that surrounded one of the most consequential decisions of his Arsenal tenure.
In the summer of 2023, Arteta made the decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya from Brentford.
At the time, it didn’t feel like an area of weakness in the squad, and it drew a lot of scepticism and bemusement at how the manager will deal with having two number one-quality goalkeepers.
Arsenal fans…if David Raya isn’t Arsenal’s best Premier League goalkeeper ever, then who is?
Speaking on The Overlap, Arteta was asked by Gary Neville to reflect on the goalkeeper change and the media pressure he faced at the time.
He shed some new light on just how difficult the decision was to push through internally.
“That’s a great example of what a manager needs,” Arteta said. “I was very convinced that we had to make a change. Not because Aaron [Ramsdale] didn’t have the quality, but because I believed, to go to the next level, we needed a different profile of goalkeeper.
“And it was very difficult to explain. Difficult to explain upstairs, difficult to explain externally. It could maybe not make sense.”
He then revealed the crucial role Edu Gaspar played in the signing. “That’s where you need a sporting director. In this case it was Edu, to say ‘Mikel, are you 100% sure?’ And I went through with him again and again and again. ‘Mikel, you’re going to expose yourself.’ I know. ‘You really want to do this?’ Yes. Please do it.
“And Edu really convinced the board as well, because they need to be convinced.”
Arteta also credited goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana, who had worked with Raya at Brentford, as a pivotal figure in the decision.
And while he admitted some uncertainty about it, he was certain about one thing.
“I don’t know if it’s going to work or not, but David [Raya] is going to present himself and dedicate to the cause. And he’s going to be an incredible ambassador for the club. That was sure.”
David Raya has proven Mikel Arteta was right to switch from Aaron Ramsdale
It has, of course, worked out rather well.
Raya has won three consecutive Premier League Golden Gloves, been named one of the five best goalkeepers in the world by Spain manager Luis De La Fuente, and has been the cornerstone of a defensive record that is unmatched in this season’s Champions League.
Arsenal have conceded just six goals in the competition all season.
Ramsdale, meanwhile, joined Southampton and then on loan to Newcastle. Once backed to be England number one, he has since fallen out of favour with the national team and, unlike Raya, won’t be going to the World Cup.
At the time, the change drew criticism but it now looks like one of the most important calls of Arteta’s tenure.
And on Saturday in Budapest, Raya will have the chance to add a Champions League winners’ medal to his growing collection.
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