David Raya opens up on relationship with Aaron Ramsdale after replacing him as Arsenal no1 goalkeeper

Arsenal goalkeepers David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale — Raya has been Mikel Arteta’s preferred option since mid-September (Picture: Getty)

David Raya says he has a ‘very healthy’ relationship with Aaron Ramsdale after replacing him as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Raya joined the Gunners on a season-long loan from Brentford with the option to make that deal permanent next summer if they pay a £27million fee.

Ramsdale remained Mikel Arteta’s no1 for the first four Premier League games of the season but was dropped for the visit to Everton in September.

The England international’s only appearances since then came against Brentford in the Carabao Cup with Raya also preferred in Champions League games against PSV Eindhoven and RC Lens.

While the two are in a constant battle for the no1 role, the Spaniard insists there is no animosity between the pair.

‘The relationship? It’s very good,’ said Raya. ‘At the end of the day, we are mates, which is the important thing. We have a very healthy relationship. There are no problems.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya — Raya eager to make his Arsenal stay permanent (Picture: Getty)

‘We push each other every day in training: when he’s a little bit down, I push him, and when I’m a little bit down [he does the same].

‘We train three goalkeepers, four at the most, for hours a week, and you need that kind of relationship because otherwise, the training is not going to go well.

‘Arteta gives me the confidence to be there, that he wanted to have two top players in each position, and it was up to me to find the time and fight to get the minutes.’

Despite being just six games into his Arsenal career, Raya is already eager to make the Emirates his permanent home.

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale — Ramsdale faces a fight to regain the number 1 jersey (Picture: Getty)

‘Yes, I would have done it yesterday [if I could],’ he said when asked about the option to make his loan permanent.

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday 21 October when they head to Chelsea.

The Gunners are joint top of the Premier League following their win over Manchester City prior to the international break, level on points with neighbours Tottenham.

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