Peter Schmeichel criticizes Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta over decision to sign David Raya on loan from Brentford
- David Raya will join Arsenal on loan with an option next summer
- Raya moves in for an initial loan fee of £3m with the option to make it permanent for £27m
- Peter Schmeichel has been stumped by the move because of Aaron Ramsdale
Former Manchester United number one Peter Schmeichel has accused Mikel Arteta of jeopardizing the confidence of his number one goalkeeper by signing David Raya on loan from Brentford.
Brentford agreed to let Raya join Arsenal on an initial loan of £3m with the purchase option set at £27m.
Despite Aaron Ramsdale’s stellar performances between the sticks, Mikel Arteta is believed to be interested in seeing the England international face tougher competition.
But Schmeichel knows nothing of the move, and the Dane insists it will only bring more insecurity, rather than more competition, among the players.
“I absolutely don’t get it,” Schmeichel said. BBC Radio 5 live.
Arsenal number 1 Aaron Ramsdale (right) will face stiff competition from David Raya (left) after the Gunners agreed a £27m loan option to buy deal with Brentford.
Mikel Arteta has targeted Raya in a bid to put tougher competition at Ramsdale in goal
“I can’t understand how a manager can come to the conclusion that it’s fantastic to have competition for the number 1 shirt.”
‘The position of a goalkeeper is very reactive. You can’t create anything on your own, you have to wait for things to happen.
Now you are asking your goalkeeper to show that you are better than the other. That means now you have to go and do things, and you don’t want that. It’s the only position on the pitch where you just want stability.
“When you have a competitive situation, he also plays that game for himself and for that position, and I don’t get it.
“What you do is make them both very insecure.”
Schmeichel added: “At the same time, having two rivals for number one, you’re also potentially creating a bad atmosphere in the dressing room because it’s a direct competition between two guys who will play or not play.”
They need to know if it goes wrong, which happens from time to time, everyone makes a mistake and everyone costs a goal, that the coach says, “Okay, mate, you’re still my number one.” You need to have that confidence. If you don’t, you can’t perform 100% for the team.’
Peter Schmeichel is concerned that both goalkeepers feel under too much pressure now
Arteta has always been keen to provide more internal competition for places and Raya will add undoubted quality to the goalkeeping department after a breakout season at Brentford.
The 27-year-old’s £30m price tag ensures Brentford make a big profit on the initial £2.7m they paid Blackburn for the goalkeeper in 2019, as the Bees’ approach to investing early in talent and selling for a higher number pays off. again.
Brentford initially expected £40m, turning down Arsenal’s initial offer for his shot-block before admitting they would agree to sell for less.
The Barcelona-born Raya is in his prime and possesses a style of ballplay that suits Arteta’s game plan well at Arsenal.
He played in every one of Brentford’s Premier League games last season as the Bees finished ninth in the top flight, just one point behind Tottenham.
Raya also kept 12 clean sheets in the Premier League last season, two fewer than Ramsdale, and was also courted by Manchester United before they recruited Andre Onana.
Raya (left) is highly regarded by Arteta for his style of ballplay which perfectly suits Arsenal’s system.
