I'm a Ramsdale supporter but I went into the Luton game rooting for Raya. The reason is simple - some fans were calling out for us to get behind the players and accept Arteta's choices, so that's what I did. I went into that game with high hopes.
Twice Raya made me regret that. You know exactly which points they were. I can't remember having sworn at the TV like that for quite some time.
Obviously Arteta was going to get questions about Raya's underperformance in the press questions later, and his responses are here:
https://metro.co.uk/2023/12/06/mikel-arteta-responds-david-raya-criticism-blunders-arsenal-win-luton-19932249/?fbclid=IwAR16HjSRvR08sfPloh52_c5FvKmDAcFc57HIa4ubZxhp53nDWAM2b5SIX5Y
Baffling. Raya made mistakes which were his own, nobody else's. Yet Arteta was happy to put other players' noses out of joint by saying we have to defend better. Poor defending did not put Raya in those positions - even for the unforgivable Barkley howler, the shooter was restricted to a poor angle on his weaker foot. Absolutely any keeper should expect to save that shot - or catch hell for failing. Bringing the defensive performance into it when two of the goals were one player's responsibility is a quick way to lose the dressing room.
Although Ramsdale made a horrible mistake against Brentford it didn't cost the team. He kept a clean sheet, yet any meagre level of praise had to be crowbarred out of Arteta. Raya came within seconds of costing us points on top of the four (by my reckoning) his errors have already cost us, yet Arteta refused to even hold him accountable or really even acknowledge the errors.
Since Arteta took over we've gone through keepers like a kid goes through shoes. The reason is that he's absolutely ruthless with them - so why stop that trend with the one who deserves it most, yet freeze it the one who's gotten us nearest to league success?
The more he shows Raya leniency, the more he risks our chances of success - and his own reputation.
Does Arteta simply hate Ramsdale?
posted on 7/12/23
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 7 minutes ago
I think it was significant that Arteta did not rule out a January transfer and mentioned Newcastle by name.
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I'd rather we loan him out if he's unhappy (completely legitimate if he is, almost any pro would be with the way he's been treated).
Long term obviously he'd need to leave permanently for his own careers sake should there be no way back but Raya may end up performing too poorly to keep and Ramsdale is still young enough to keep improving.
posted on 7/12/23
We are going to have 2 new keepers come summer of 2025 I bet. For no reason rather than Arteta's stubbornness. He wanted Raya in 2020 and apparently was still carrying a flame for him so when he became available, he did not think twice. Also, the gk coach is to blame too as it's nepotism that resulted in Raya being here.
Arteta has a stubborn streak (Willian and Havertz), a ruthless streak (Tavares, Lokonga etc) and so many inconsistencies. As good as he is, I'd hate working for a guy like that as I'd never know where I stood
posted on 7/12/23
Na Arteta loves Ramsdale mate
posted on 7/12/23
comment by Two Balls, One Saka (U19684)
posted 23 minutes ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 7 minutes ago
I think it was significant that Arteta did not rule out a January transfer and mentioned Newcastle by name.
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I'd rather we loan him out if he's unhappy (completely legitimate if he is, almost any pro would be with the way he's been treated).
Long term obviously he'd need to leave permanently for his own careers sake should there be no way back but Raya may end up performing too poorly to keep and Ramsdale is still young enough to keep improving.
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Depends on if they need the ffp space to buy Toney. If that's not an issue, I would keep him to see if he develops, unless of course he has burned his bridges in his private meetings with Arteta.
posted on 7/12/23
comment by MaineGunner (U10130)
posted 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
We are going to have 2 new keepers come summer of 2025 I bet. For no reason rather than Arteta's stubbornness. He wanted Raya in 2020 and apparently was still carrying a flame for him so when he became available, he did not think twice. Also, the gk coach is to blame too as it's nepotism that resulted in Raya being here.
Arteta has a stubborn streak (Willian and Havertz), a ruthless streak (Tavares, Lokonga etc) and so many inconsistencies. As good as he is, I'd hate working for a guy like that as I'd never know where I stood
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Aren't we starting to be rewarded for his backing of Havertz?
We aren't privy to everything that goes on but I think Arteta has got a lot more things right than wrong. Yes he makes decisions that upset us because we are fans who have our own favourites but ultimately he makes what he thinks are the best calls for the club.
With the goalkeeping situation, it's hard, Ramsdale has a great connection with the fans, the players and put in some tremendous performances. On the OP, he's not done any of this out of hate, he's done what he thinks is the best thing for the club and brought in a goalkeeper who he thinks is better. The stats backed this up last season, on pretty much everything, even dealing with crosses and high balls.
posted on 7/12/23
comment by Emile Death Rowe (TCM) (U8959)
posted 2 hours, 42 minutes ago
comment by MaineGunner (U10130)
posted 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
We are going to have 2 new keepers come summer of 2025 I bet. For no reason rather than Arteta's stubbornness. He wanted Raya in 2020 and apparently was still carrying a flame for him so when he became available, he did not think twice. Also, the gk coach is to blame too as it's nepotism that resulted in Raya being here.
Arteta has a stubborn streak (Willian and Havertz), a ruthless streak (Tavares, Lokonga etc) and so many inconsistencies. As good as he is, I'd hate working for a guy like that as I'd never know where I stood
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Aren't we starting to be rewarded for his backing of Havertz?
We aren't privy to everything that goes on but I think Arteta has got a lot more things right than wrong. Yes he makes decisions that upset us because we are fans who have our own favourites but ultimately he makes what he thinks are the best calls for the club.
With the goalkeeping situation, it's hard, Ramsdale has a great connection with the fans, the players and put in some tremendous performances. On the OP, he's not done any of this out of hate, he's done what he thinks is the best thing for the club and brought in a goalkeeper who he thinks is better. The stats backed this up last season, on pretty much everything, even dealing with crosses and high balls.
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The Havertz thing...jury is still out. He just had his best game for us BUT, watching him at Chelsea here and there, he never was convincing. He was never a player I looked at and thought he will always have an impact. He seems to have one great game in 5 or 6 and for 65m, not worth it. If we had paid 20m for him, I'd be ok. We'll know if he was a success and worth the money in time.
Stats...stats are notoriously misleading. We play differently to Brentford. Watching Raya make mistakes after mistakes, I can honestly say, Ramsdale is better at commanding his area and shot stopping which to me are what a goalie is for 1st and foremost. Raya is better with his feet but Ramsdale over 2 years has been very solid with his feet that I don't think he is a detriment.
Also..stats show that Onana is the 2nd best goalie so far this season....yet we all know he has been so bad. I saw stats that Raya ranked better than Ramsdale at save percentage last year...the same chart had Ederson 5 or 6 spots below Ramsdale. Yet we all know Ederson is the better of all 3. So yeah..stats..meh. Raya does not pass the eye test for me.
posted on 7/12/23
Havertz has been playing very well for the last 4 to 5 games and is now assisting/scoring as well. You have to be a real hater not to give him some props. How he played at Chelsea is irrelevant because Havertz plays in midfield for Arsenal.
And who doesn't cost £50m+ these days? Do you think Caicedo is worth £115m? or Grealish worth £100m? I could name almost every player at Chelsea or Man Utd.
posted on 7/12/23
I would like to get rid of Inaki, wasn't he the one that recommended Runnersson?
posted on 7/12/23
Our defence being done by Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley is a disgrace
posted on 7/12/23
It definitely seems like they have fallen out.