Morning all.
Let’s begin with the information that Arsenal are reportedly seeking to make a transfer for Brentford goalkeeper, David Raya.
🚨 EXCL: Arsenal exploring deal to signal Brentford goalkeeper David Raya. No bid but however #BrentfordFC conscious of curiosity. #FCBayern additionally pursuing however 27yo eager to hitch #AFC. #NFFC contemplating Matt Turner; hole in valuations however dialogue ongoing @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/0D69bVZ75Q
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 30, 2023
That is fairly fascinating for a few causes. First, and whereas I’m not going to leap to any massive conclusions right here, does it counsel that maybe Mikel Arteta shouldn’t be 100% satisfied by Aaron Ramsdale as his #1? Raya is a participant we pursued up to now, however at that time Brentford weren’t for budging. Now, with only a yr left on his contract, they’ve a call to make if he received’t lengthen: money in, or see him depart on a free.
This could be a part of the rationale we’re after him, however for me it raises some questions on Ramsdale. Proper now, he’s the unquestionable first alternative keeper primarily based on the gamers we have now out there. Including somebody like Raya means much more competitors than he has in the mean time. Which isn’t essentially a nasty factor, and it could be a case that the supervisor is eager to use the identical measure of competitors to each place in his squad, nevertheless it’s not at all times the case with goalkeepers.
Whenever you have a look at different sides, Man Metropolis and Liverpool spring to thoughts, the standard of their first alternative keeper implies that there’s a giant hole between them and their deputy. I feel there’s a niche between Ramsdale and Matt Turner proper now, however that wouldn’t be wherever close to as apparent as a Ramsdale/Raya duo. We all know that Arteta actually likes Ramsdale, he wooed him to carry him right here within the first place, and did so realizing that this was a deal that was open to query by many, followers and pundits alike. Since then, he has proved loads of individuals incorrect. He’s a participant I like, and one I feel can get higher given his age.
It’s not past the realms of chance that the supervisor thinks having two high quality goalkeepers is vital for the best way he needs to construct his squad. We all know he’s bought loads of concepts, and a home/European keeper system wouldn’t be a significant shock or something – even when that hasn’t at all times labored for me once we’ve tried it up to now. The opposite factor to keep in mind right here is that Raya has a powerful relationship with goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña, they labored collectively at Brentford, and this can be one thing that’s driving this curiosity. Provided that he additionally beneficial Alex Runarsson, you could be a little bit cautious of that (I’m), nevertheless it’s most likely a part of it.
The secondary side to that is the way forward for Matt Turner. There are already some rumours about Nottingham Forest, and it wouldn’t be a giant shock if he left. He’s first alternative for the USMNT proper now, however with out common soccer, that’s certainly not going to be the case indefinitely. I additionally thought it was just a bit unusual how, given his place along with his nationwide facet, he wasn’t current in any respect through the US tour. I do know he had performed within the Gold Cup and wanted some holidays, however with Arsenal within the USA, it appeared a little bit odd to me he wasn’t concerned in any respect.
I feel Turner was already a season the place his solely enjoying time would have been within the EFL and Carabao Cups. With Arsenal again within the Champions League, these are video games that Ramsdale would have performed, so it’s not as if he’d even have these Europa League group video games. With two gamers like Ramsdale and Raya forward of him, if this deal went by means of, he’d solely have performed resulting from some sort of damage disaster, so it does really feel as if he must make a transfer for the sake of his personal profession.
General, there’s a lot to attempt to unpack from this curiosity, and possibly too there’s an angle we’re not conscious of at this second in time. Arteta’s plans typically don’t make full sense till you see them executed, so if this one does occur, it is going to be fascinating to see the way it performs out. I additionally suppose that the price-tag of £40m shouldn’t be one thing we will meet till we promote just a few extra, so that is removed from imminent.
Proper, let’s depart it there for this morning. James and I might be recording an Arsecast Further for you a little bit afterward this morning. Preserve an eye fixed out for the decision for questions on Twitter @gunnerblog and @arseblog on Twitter with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or if you happen to’re on Arseblog Member on Patreon, depart your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
For now, have a very good one.
