Premier League’s best goalkeeper? David Raya flourishing at Arsenal since Aaron Ramsdale exit

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Ramsdale returns to Emirates Saturday 

This Saturday former goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale returns to the Emirates for the first time since leaving Arsenal for €21.4 million this summer. The new Southampton shot-stopper was in the Premier League Team of the Season in the 2022/23 campaign when with the Gunners, and is sure to get a welcome reception in north London this weekend. Ramsdale was a fan favourite at Arsenal, and many supporters weren’t happy when the club opted to bring in David Raya from Brentford to be the new number one. At the time, Mikel Arteta said, “To have two excellent goalkeepers is great – there’s nothing wrong with it. We have two great left-wingers and two great strikers and two great holding midfielders.” But it was soon clear that Raya was going to be his first choice between the sticks.

Initially things were pretty shaky for Raya. High-profile mistakes against Lens and Luton led to Arsenal conceding goals. Almost everytime the camera cut to Ramsdale watching on from the bench. However, the Spaniard got through that immensely pressurised time and ended the season superbly, as Arsenal forged the best defence in the Premier League, and Raya was a key component. This summer, Arsenal made the deal for Raya permanent in a €31.9m deal, whilst Ramsdale was allowed to leave the club. Neto was brought in as the new understudy. With the pressure of Ramsdale breathing down his neck gone, Raya has taken his game to another level this season, and is flourishing for Arteta’s Arsenal. 

As illustrated in the graphic in above, Raya is the joint sixth most valuable goalkeeper in the world with a current market value of €35m. If he continues his current form that looks likely to rise in December’s full Premier League market value update. Raya is proving he is part of the very upper echelons of the goalkeeping world. As touched upon, Arsenal had the best defensive record in the Premier League last season, and when we compare which goalkeepers have had the best records since Raya arrived at the Emirates, it showcases the Spaniard’s impact.

As you can see Raya has conceded just 0.76 goals in the Premier League since moving to Arsenal. A record which no other keeper that has played 30 or more games can match in that timeframe. Of course, he shouldn’t be isolated in the Gunners stellar defensive showings, but there’s little doubt he has contributed significantly to this. Following Raya’s superb double save from an initial penalty in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Atalanta in the Champions League last month, manager Arteta said, “In one action we conceded a penalty and we needed two of the best saves that I’ve seen in my career from David to stay in the game. We signed him when he was already exceptional, but then you have to do it at this level and especially in the context of when he came in, it wasn’t easy at all, but he’s showing the kind of person he is and his role as a leader in the team.”

As aforementioned, Ramsdale was adored by the Arsenal fans. The personality and character he showed, along with some superb saves made him a fan favourite. But when we look at the numbers we can see the vast improvement since Raya came in. Of course the Gunners have improved as a defensive unit as whole and this should be taken into account. Nevertheless, Raya has conceded just 0.76 goals per game compared to Ramsdale’s 1.11. He has also been getting a clean sheet every other game, compared to around one in three for the Englishmen. Penalties are often a time for goalkeepers to shine, and Raya has also been a lot more effective in that department – he has saved four penalties for the Gunners, whilst Ramsdale never saved a single one.

Raya has been the outstanding keeper in the Premier League in the first six games. Whilst it’s a small sample size, coupled with what he did in the second half of last season, Raya should be in the bracket with Ederson and Allison as the best keepers in the division. He should also start to be considered in the bracket which would include the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer as the best keepers on the planet. His ability with his feet, his ability to catch and claim almost every cross, and his lighting quick reactions have Raya right at the top of the game right now.