Why Mikel Arteta's Tactical Shift Puts David Raya Ahead of Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta seems to have made up his mind regarding David Raya or Aaron Ramsdale. Despite discussions about rotation, Raya has started six out of seven games since joining Arsenal. Ramsdale, on the other hand, has only made an appearance in the Carabao Cup. It is unlikely that this situation will change, as Raya is fulfilling Arteta's expectations.

Despite making mistakes against Lens in Europe, the Spaniard had his fair share of awkward moments during the win over Manchester City. However, with Arsenal maintaining an unbeaten streak in the Premier League and being tied on points with the leaders, his manager is displaying a position of strength - and it is evident.

Arteta took full responsibility for Raya's misplaced pass, acknowledging that it was his own fault. He admitted, "It is my fault. All my fault." He further explained that he had instructed Raya to make that pass, allowing others to hold him accountable. Despite the audible unease from the supporters, Raya demonstrated courage by continuing to play.

"The crowd is excitedly engaged with the players," expressed Arteta.

"As I observed, the players initiated a chaotic display of ball kicking, and I immediately advised him, 'refrain from such actions, ensure that you avoid it', and he heeded my advice. Ultimately, he received recognition as the team executed the game plan with great improvement. Thus, a sincere commendation to him."

Raya's exceptional skills in the goalkeeper position are evident in multiple areas of his game. One aspect that stands out is his ability to dominate the box and confidently go for crosses and set pieces. Additionally, his impressive height adds to his effectiveness on the field. This is demonstrated by his performance in the Premier League, where he ranks second in the number of catches claimed since the beginning of last season, with only Emiliano Martinez surpassing him.

Raya's shot-stopping ability is a notable aspect of his performance during his time at Brentford. Based on the expected-goals data, Raya has prevented six more goals than the average goalkeeper would have done since the previous season commenced. In contrast, Ramsdale has prevented three fewer goals.

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Switching goalkeepers solely based on this factor, despite Ramsdale's popularity, is warranted. However, the most significant aspect is Raya's height, which is evident in his distribution skills and ability to participate in possession as part of the back line.

This difference is particularly noteworthy and was unexpectedly mentioned by Ramsdale himself in his remarkable first-person piece with The Players' Tribune in August. Above all, this piece provided a poignant account of personal trauma, revealing his life beyond the realms of football.

However, there were also revelations about his connection with Arteta, which were initially portrayed positively. However, considering the present circumstances, it suggests underlying ideological disparities between the two and the difficulty of adapting to demands that seemed contradictory.

"I recall him clarifying that he desired me to adopt a more advanced and forceful playing style. As a result, during each training session, I would strive to play with greater intensity and in more advanced positions. Yet, he would persistently urge me to push higher. Every day, the emphasis was on playing higher. 'Yes. Yes. No. Higher.'"

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The heatmaps of the two goalkeepers at Arsenal reveal that David Raya tends to position himself farther away from the goal.

"It was truly remarkable because he allowed me to express my emotions regarding the vulnerability I felt while playing aggressively... Eventually, we reached a compromise where I was able to play without overthinking, and the outcomes were evident."

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The outcomes were clear evidence of progress for Arsenal, and Ramsdale played a vital role in that improvement. However, Arteta's choice to acquire a new goalkeeper also indicates his unwavering principles. There is no compromising or finding a middle ground with him.

Arteta's focus on precision and attention to detail explains his desire for a goalkeeper who perfectly fits his preferred style of play. It is only logical for him to seek a goalkeeper who is more adept at executing that style, rather than one who may struggle with certain aspects of it.

The statistics indicate that Raya is the more skilled goalkeeper when it comes to handling the ball. Second Spectrum utilizes tracking data to determine the probability of successfully completing each pass. By recording the effectiveness of real passes, one can evaluate the comparative passing proficiency of players.

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Out of the 15 goalkeepers who have successfully completed 500 passes or more since the last Premier League season began, Raya stands out as one of just three, alongside Brighton's Jason Steele and Liverpool's Alisson Becker, who have exceeded expectations considering the difficulty involved. It is worth noting the limited number of goalkeepers in this category, as they are still not as skilled at passing as outfield players. However, among these 15 goalkeepers, Ramsdale holds the last position, with his pass completion rate falling almost four percentage points below the average player.

Arsenal understands the significance of the statistics and recognizes that Raya's passing abilities can enhance their build-up play. However, the transition comes with intrigue as there is no assurance that he can match these impressive numbers.

Although Raya may be familiar with certain aspects, he will encounter many new elements, including a change in club and the magnitude of a bigger and more renowned team. Additionally, he will have to contend with the pressure of competing for a role against a popular rival, while also dealing with supporters who may be apprehensive when the ball is in his possession. These challenges lie ahead for Raya, who is 28 years old, but can be surpassed with determination and resilience.

Since the beginning of last season, he has played the highest number of progressive passes out of any goalkeeper in the Premier League, with a total of 568. However, this statistic can be attributed to the tactics employed by Brentford, as he was actively encouraged to bypass opponents in order to find Ivan Toney during offensive plays.

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Now, he must adapt to a new strategy, make quicker passes, and face more pressure. The statistics already demonstrate that 40 percent of his passes as an Arsenal player have been made under pressure, compared to 29 percent last season when he played for Brentford.

These details indicate that success is not guaranteed. Raya must maintain confidence in his skills and continue to have the support of his new manager. However, there is a valid reason for his selection. He is now Arsenal's top goalkeeper, and this decision has been made for a specific purpose.