'I was hammered' - Mikel Arteta points to Arsenal truth proving him right over pundit critics

Mikel Arteta has delivered an honest David Raya verdict - two years on from handing the goalkeeper his Arsenal debut just after a transfer decision that caused a real stir. As the 2023 summer window was nearing its conclusion, many were caught off guard by the Gunners making a move for Brentford's David Raya.

That was because Aaron Ramsdale had joined the club two years prior in a £30million swoop to be their No.1 shot-stopper. In the wake of Raya's move being confirmed, ex-goalkeepers brutally criticised Arteta with Ben Foster and Edwin van der Sar, who enjoyed very different careers at Manchester United, making their feelings clear.

"I hate it, it's pathetic. It's something that didn't need to happen, right. They didn't need to sign David Raya," Foster said on his

READ MORE: Eberechi Eze 'sitting through hours of footage' shows true character Arsenal have signed

READ MORE: Trossard starts with Lewis-Skelly as new Eze role chosen - Arsenal line-up vs Nottingham Forest

"He's [Ramsdale] been a top goalie for two years. He's on the edge of being England's No.1 with Jordan Pickford - he's right there. When he's full of confidence and he's got a manager putting his arm around him, he's as good as anyone in this country."

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Schmeichel added: "I absolutely do not get it. I cannot understand how a manager can come to the conclusion that it's a great thing to have competition for the No.1 shirt.

"You're also creating potentially a bad atmosphere in the dressing room because that's a straight up competition between two guys who will either start or not play.

"They need to know if it goes wrong, which it does now and again, everyone makes a mistake and everyone costs a goal, that the manager says; 'That's alright, mate, you're still my No.1'.

"You need to have that confidence. If you don't, you can't perform 100 per cent for the team."

It looked as though Arteta's decision was set to back-fire after Raya made a number of high-profile mistakes in his first few appearances.

However, in these following 18 months, he has proven to be an astute addition with Arteta basking in that glory when Raya's near 50 per cent clean sheet record was described as "pretty good" to him during a press conference on Friday."It's the best in the history of the football club," he said before letting out a smile.

"It's unbelievable. And I was hammered when I brought him. So that's perspective as well. Very good to understand the game, and especially when a few months or years go by."

Despite initial criticism from most, Jamie Carragher - who was of the belief it WAS the right move when he initially joined - later labelled it as one of Arteta's "best decisions" to replace Ramsdale with Raya.

"That was one of the best decisions Mikel Arteta made, it was brave at the time because Aaron Ramsdale was a bit of a fans' favourite, but Arsenal were never going to win big with him in goal."