Shay Given has questioned whyArsenalare bringing in goalkeeper David Raya on loan fromBrentford, claiming current No. 1 Aaron Ramsdale ‘wouldn’t be happy’.
Brentfordhave agreed to let Raya join Arsenal on a £3m loan Ԁєɑł for the season,with an option to buy set to raise that figure to £30m if he joins permanently.
But former goalkeeper Giventold BBC’s Match of the Day 2that he felt the move was ‘signing a problem’ to the Emirates, when Ramsdale is already between the posts.
Given said: ‘I have a look at that and say “you’re signing a problem”. Ramsdale for me was one of the best players last year. He made some big performances and really settled into the position.
‘Now if you’re bringing in Raya, who’s a number one in his own right, then you’re causing yourself a problem.
‘I don’t think Raya would leave Brentford – who’s the number one at Brentford – to be number two at Arsenal, or any club. If I was in that position, I wouldn’t go to any club as a number two, no chance.So I don’t understand why Arteta wants to bring him in.
‘The goalie coach used to be at Brentford, so he’s bringing Raya in for a ɾєɑȿօɴ, he likes him. Maybe he’s given some assurances he’s going to be number one, but I wouldn’t be happy if I was Ramsdale.’
Given explained that outfield positions have two options in every role fighting for position, but the ‘psychology’ was different for goalkeepers.
‘Psychologically, if you make a mistake – and we all do, we’re human beings – you’ll think “Oh, I made a mistake, Raya’s gonna play next week”, or Ramsdale. You’re playing on a bit of an edge the whole time.
‘You don’t want that as a goalkeeper, you want to play. You want the backing of your manager, “You’re my number one. Even if you make a mistake, I’ll back you”.
‘Couple of mistakes from Ramsdale last year, played into midfield, he got caught out, and they conceded a goal. Does he look over his shoulder going “Oh, Raya’s going to come in now cause I’ve made a mistake”? No, he needs to know he’s a number one, and I don’t think it’s a good chemical to have both of them pushing for that position.’
Arsenalstarted their Premier League campaign with Saturday’s 2-1 winover Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, but Raya could be in the squad by the time the Gunners play Crystal Palace on August 21.
