Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has opened up about his decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya back in August 2023.
Raya, who initially joined on a season-long loan from Brentford two years ago, faced heavy scrutiny over the move but proved doubters wrong, winning the Golden Glove in his debut season with the Gunners, leading to a swift permanent transfer.
The Spanish international is set to complete a century of appearances for the club against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, having kept an impressive 41 clean sheets - and the feeling is that Arteta’s decision has been vindicated by his performances.
“It’s the best in the history of the football club. It's unbelievable. I was hammered when I brought him,” Arteta said when asked about Raya’s achievements.
“So that's perspective as well. It’s very good to understand the game, especially when a few months or years go by. It's really good to look back as well and reflect on that.”
Fans were quick to question the decision at the time, especially as Arsenal were unbeaten and had won four of their first five games of the season before Raya was brought in for the Everton clash.
“I was very conscious about it. I was very clear that it was going to happen. I know this country and I know what I was doing,” Arteta reflected.
“I understand the context very well where I am. It'd be different if that were a player from Serbia. We'd be having a different conversation for sure.
“It was someone who was as well very much loved. A very special character, an English international. That has a lot of ingredients to become a big debate for sure.”
Ramsdale made a permanent move to Southampton last summer, but following their relegation back down to the Championship, joined Newcastle United on loan for this campaign.
Raya has since established himself as Arsenal’s firm number one, with Kepa Arrizabalaga signed from Chelsea as backup to provide competition.
Arteta praised Raya’s ability to block out distractions and maintain top-level performances, having become one of the league’s best goalkeepers, winning consecutive Golden Glove awards during his time with the club.
“I knew that he had the courage to first of all to deal with that situation because that's difficult to deal with," he said. "It's not easy when you come to a big club.
“It was a big step for him but we believed that he was ready. He was the right keeper as well to give us something else. It was part of evolving as a team as well.”