Mikel Arteta celebrates during an Arsenal match(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta proven right on huge Arsenal transfer decision with perfect fit

Mikel Arteta has made some big calls during his time as Arsenal boss, but one divisive decision has been proven right according to a Premier League icon

17 Oct 2024, 11:57 by Joe Doyle · football.london

Alan Shearer says that Mikel Arteta has been emphatically proven right on his decision to bring David Raya to Arsenal in the summer of 2023. The goalkeeper joined on an initial £3million loan deal before a £27million permanent transfer was confirmed in 2024.

Raya's arrival was initially greeted with some scepticism, as the Gunners already had Aaron Ramsdale on the books, having joined in 2021. After sitting out for the first few games of the 2023/24 season, Raya soon ousted Ramsdale as first choice, and it has been that way ever since.

Ramsdale was not content to play another season as second-choice goalkeeper, leaving this summer on a permanent transfer to Southampton. While some have called the choice to bring in Raya "brutal", Premier League icon Alan Shearer says that Arteta's decision has 100% paid off - even if Raya isn't the best goalkeeper in the Premier League just yet.

Shearer told Betfair: "David Raya has starred this season, and he took that form into the international break with Spain too. But when you look at what Ederson does for Man City and Alisson at Liverpool, I wouldn't say Raya is the best in the Premier League, yet.

"There's no doubt he’s up there though as one of the best. When you consider the noise that was around when Mikel Arteta signed him and he went up against Aaron Ramsdale, having both of those goalkeepers didn't quite feel right.

"However, you've got to give Arteta credit for doing that, because it certainly has worked out, for the better. Raya is exactly what Arsenal and Arteta wanted in terms of a ball-playing goalkeeper, who can start moves the way Arsenal want.

"He's also a good shot-stopper, which we've seen so many times this season; he's saved them points, not only in the Premier League, but in the Champions League as well."

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