David Raya was the hero for Arsenal final evening as he stepped up with a terrific efficiency to assist the Gunners beat Porto on penalties to progress into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Raya joined Arsenal from Brentford on mortgage in the summertime in a considerably shock transfer on condition that Aaron Ramsdale had carried out fairly effectively as Mikel Arteta’s primary final season.
Talking completely to CaughtOffside for his Every day Briefing column, Arsenal FC author Charles Watts has offered extra background on this deal, which he claims Arteta really needed earlier, earlier than he signed Ramsdale.
Bernd Leno was the Arsenal no.1 when Arteta took over as supervisor, and Watts says Raya was his most well-liked selection to interchange the German shot-stopper, although the deal couldn’t be carried out at the moment.
Raya switch ‘sudden’ however clearly justified for Arsenal
Explaining how Arteta pounced when the possibility to signal Raya offered itself once more, Watts stated: “Arteta can be delighted that David Raya was the hero on Tuesday evening.
“Raya’s arrival created lots of headlines final summer time, however he’s now displaying why Arteta took the chance to carry him in from Brentford.
“Raya was the keeper Arteta at all times needed. He needed him to interchange Bernd Leno, however a deal couldn’t be carried out on the time with Brentford so Aaron Ramsdale arrived as an alternative.
“Ramsdale did a terrific job and Arsenal have been proud of him, however when Matt Turner pushed to depart Arsenal final summer time late on within the window and Nottingham Forest supplied a deal that may see Arsenal make a revenue on the American keeper, the Gunners needed to act rapidly.
“This time Raya was obtainable and a mortgage deal, one which can be turned everlasting this summer time, was carried out. It was sudden, however the alternative arose and Arteta went for it.
“It was a giant name, however one he felt would enhance the group. Taking a look at it now just a few months down the road, you may’t argue that he hasn’t been confirmed appropriate.”
Raya appears to be like like an more and more good signing by Arsenal, and followers will little doubt be delighted that Arteta caught to his intestine intuition on this one, even when many would certainly have stood by Ramsdale for longer and prioritised different areas to strengthen.
