David Seaman has shared what he has noticed about David Raya during his first season at Arsenal, particularly after his mistake in the recent North London derby.
Arsenal are well into the final straight of the Premier League season and the finishing line is in sight for Mikel Arteta’s side. Manchester City may have the advantage, but the Gunners are poised if the champions do slip up.
It seems imperative therefore, that Arsenal keep their heads in their final two games of the season and make sure that they do all they can to pile the pressure on City.
Arsenal have now kept three clean sheets in their last four, with the Gunners ensuring that David Raya will win the Golden Glove in the Premier League this season.
David Seaman lauds David Raya after first season at Arsenal
It has been a turbulent season for the Spaniard, who surprised many by making a loan move to the Emirates in a deal which could become permanent for £30 million.
But he has vindicated Mikel Arteta’s faith to make him the side’s number one ahead of Aaron Ramsdale.
Raya has had his moments, most recently in the North London derby when he gifted Tottenham a goal with a misplaced pass.
But speaking on Seaman Says, David Seaman suggested that he was so impressed by how the 28-year-old responded to the mistake.
“To be fair, it’s his first season, he’s come in under all that pressure with Aaron, and then the pressure added to that of playing for Arsenal, and he did find it a little bit difficult to start with. But he’s showing why Arteta keeps picking him. Alright, he had the mistake last week where the pass got cut out, but he’s normally brilliant with his feet, that’s his stronger point. And then, he’s brilliant at crosses, and the defence is playing really well. So it’s all adding together,” he said.
“The other thing I’ve noticed about him, he’s really calm; you never, ever see him flustered. Even after making that mistake against Spurs, he just put his hand up, took responsibility and carried on and recovered brilliantly.”
Mikel Arteta vindicated for huge gamble
It was a huge gamble to replace Ramsdale as the number one ahead of this season. The Englishman had been outstanding during his time at Arsenal, and signed a new contract towards the end of the last campaign.
Few Arsenal fans were suggesting that a new goalkeeper was needed heading into the summer, particularly when there does not appear to be a number of world-class number ones around right now.
It would be unfair to suggest that Arsenal could not have found themselves in the title picture with Ramsdale still as number one, but signing Raya has certainly been proven to be a smart decision.