So, not long ago Arteta made his position clear on the goalkeeper situation by benching Ramsdale in favour of Raya after for games. Given four games, Raya had more clean sheets than Ramsdale and results were going the right way. Given our unbeaten start, they still are. However, cracks are starting to appear.
Raya hasn't made any saves that Ramsdale couldn't have - in fact there have been a couple of goals conceded by Raya which I think Ramsdale could have dealt with better. Raya has been found wanting with regard to dealing with high crosses, which has not been a real problem for Ramsdale. Ramsdale is admittedly poor with his feet and Raya was brought in ostensibly as a sweeper keeper, but for someone who is seen as strong in this department he has made a number of kicking and passing errors. Only the fact that he hasn't been punished for them puts him above Ramsdale in that department - but just barely.
In short I fail to see how Raya is an upgrade in any discernible way - in fact I'm most ways that count he's a downgrade. Ramsdale commands his area better, is a more accomplished shot stopper and is longer settled into the team. If he could use his feet better there would be no cause for comparison but even with that issue, the defence could play to compensate. In every other way that counts, I believe Ramsdale is the better keeper and I hope that Arteta sees it that way before having him benched seriously costs us. My concern is that he won't. He tolerated Holding repeatedly during a key period of last season despite his shortcomings and I can't understand why he's being so ruthless with Ramsdale.
The Keeper Conundrum, cont'd.
posted on 22/10/23
Arteta made a big deal about GK being like any other position in that it's interchangeable and competition is needed. Raya hasn't done enough to justify coming in and being unequivocal first choice, so Ramsdale should get a chance to come back in with the expectations of what Arteta wants him to do made clear to him and see how he rises to the challenge
posted on 22/10/23
Got to doubt if Ramsdale will be involved Tuesday, and realistically his next game will be against the Hammers in the EFL.
posted on 22/10/23
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 4 minutes ago
Got to doubt if Ramsdale will be involved Tuesday, and realistically his next game will be against the Hammers in the EFL.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Almost the perfect circumstances to give him a chance though.
He can take Tuesday off cos of the baby and it's a non issue in terms of questioning the selection, then he can come in for the EFL, as expected anyway, and if he plays well then Arteta has a justifiable reason to keep him in the team without it making too many headlines
posted on 22/10/23
The issue is Daveed Raya is latin and secksy whereas Ramsdale is all Norman Wisdom and wool suit, cloth cap comedian.
posted on 23/10/23
Ramsdale's kicking and general distribution is not that bad we were just led to believe Raya's was better. I've seen nothing to prove that. If he's not going to play tomorrow then I would expect to see him on Saturday.
posted on 23/10/23
For me Ramsdale is clearly the better overall keeper, he is far less error prone
posted on 23/10/23
Ramsdale is just better.
Raya can't handle the spotlight.
posted on 23/10/23
Ramsdale's kicking and distribution isn't bad at all. Certainly I haven't seen enough in that department from Raya so far to justify that as a reason to make him #1.
I also think Ramsdale's personality as a bit of a cocky WUM is more of a benefit than you might think. I don't know if it's just too much listening to Neville bang on about it, but Raya does seem nervy at times, and that must transmit to the players (it definitely does to the fans).
posted on 23/10/23
Ramsdale is the better player and person for this team.
It seems the players have a better understanding and relationship with him. He also brings the shiithousery that’s needed at times.
Ramsdale's kicking and distribution is also better from what I’ve seen so far.
I’m not sure what Rayas better at or what he offers that Ramsdale doesn’t?