Stephen Warnock says Arsenal’s rumoured transfer push for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is ‘very surprising’ because of Aaron Ramsdale.
The former Premier League left-back added that Brentford boss Thomas Frank will be ‘disappointed’ to lose a player of David Raya’s quality this summer.
But Warnock pointed out that this proves how Mikel Arteta wants ‘competition from within his squad’ at Arsenal, as he told Sky Sports Premier League’s Summer Series (30/07/23).
Raya hasn’t been part of Brentford’s pre-season games this summer, including their 3-3 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday, when the rumours about Arsenal started coming through.
The 27-year-old has less than 12 months left to run on his contract and there was previous talk that Tottenham wanted to sign the ‘top-class‘ shot-stopper.
But it seems as though he could still head across north London, but to the Emirates instead of Hotspur Way, with Warnock sharing his thoughts.
“Arsenal is very interesting,” said Warnock. “All the talk has been about Bayern Munich and we were expecting that was the deal that was going to happen.
“I do find it quite surprising, if I am being completely honest, with Aaron Ramsdale. One thing we know about Mikel Arteta is that he wants competition from within his squad.
“But, from Thomas Frank’s point of view, he will be disappointed to lose a goalkeeper of David Raya’s quality.”
Arteta putting Ramsdale under pressure
There is no doubt that Raya is a high, high-quality operator and a player that is worthy of playing for a team in the Champions League.
Just his sheer ability to play out from the back, with that confidence and arrogance, is worth paying big bucks for alone.
But if Raya is Arsenal bound this summer, then it will make the club’s number one Aaron Ramsdale uncomfortable and send out a blunt message to the rest that ‘your spot isn’t safe’.
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