Coach Arteta regrets not replacing the goalkeeper twice in the middle of the match
After the win at Goodison Park, when asked about Raya starting for the first time instead of Ramsdale, Arteta replied: "The reason is the same as Fabio Vieira playing, and Eddie Nketiah starting for Gabriel Jesus. I never wondered why. Why doesn't Jesus start? He's won more trophies than anyone else, including me, in the current Arsenal squad. But I can't have two players in each position and not play them. Raya has Many qualities, like Ramsdale and Karl Hein, and we have to take advantage of that."
This summer, despite Ramsdale's stable performance, Arsenal still borrowed Raya from Brentford with the option to buy it outright next year for a fee of $35 million. Raya was born in Barcelona and has good footwork, so he fits Arteta's philosophy. The Spanish goalkeeper played all 38 Premier League matches last season, making a major contribution to helping Brentford finish ninth - just one point behind Tottenham. He kept 12 clean sheets, two less than Ramsdale, and was also pursued by Man Utd before they recruited Andre Onana.
Against Everton yesterday, Raya started for Arsenal for the first time. The 28-year-old goalkeeper showed his strength in playing with his feet, and did not have to do much when Everton only controlled the ball 25% and hit the goal once.
Arteta said Raya increased both quality, depth and healthy competition in the wooden frame. He emphasized that he wants each position at Arsenal to have two players of the same level, and that not only the goalkeeper but also the positions above must strive to compete, without anyone having a default starting position.
The Spanish coach said that twice he did not replace the goalkeeper in the middle of the match because he lacked courage and caused Arsenal to lose. "There were two times, after 60 minutes and 85 minutes in two matches, I could have replaced the goalkeeper at that time, but I didn't have the courage," he expressed. "I replaced a winger or a striker and put a defender on the field to play five defenders, trying to keep the advantage. Arsenal drew those two games and I was very unhappy."
Therefore, Arteta wants to normalize the goalkeeper rotation and even leave open the possibility of replacing this position mid-match depending on developments and tactical requirements. "Someone will do it, and it will be very strange and you will ask why, but tell me why?", the 41-year-old coach asked. "If you have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something, or want to change the dynamic then make a change. I want all the players to be ready to go into the game, regardless of the league - that's it." is my message".
Yesterday, Arsenal faced many difficulties against Everton and only won 1-0 thanks to Leandro Trossard's dangerous shot from Bukayo Saka's pass in the penalty area. Arteta was proud that the "Gunners" won for the first time at Goodison Park since the 5-2 victory in 2017. He also praised Trossard for a great finish and revealed that Gabriel Martinelli had a hamstring injury and needed a closer examination. .
Arsenal returned to the top 4 of the Premier League with 13 points, equal to Tottenham, Liverpool and two points behind Man City. On September 20, Arteta and his team hosted PSV in the opening round of Group B of the Champions League, then played a derby with Tottenham in round six of the Premier League on September 24, both at Emirates Stadium.
