Stan Collymore has backed Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to secure the transfer of David Raya from Brentford.
The former Liverpool striker even claimed that David Raya, if he swaps Brentford for Arsenal this summer, will have a ‘greater impact’ than Declan Rice.
The Gunners smashed their club-record transfer to sign the hard-hitting midfielder from West Ham United this summer.
And whilst Collymore thinks that the England International will bring ‘a lot’ to the table, he is unsure if he will make his new side ‘automatic title contenders’, as he told CaughtOffside.
The rumours about Raya possibly going to Arsenal have caught many by surprise, including a former Chelsea coach being left shocked.
But that’s the ruthless nature of the game, as Collymore backed Brentford’s number one to join Arteta at Arsenal.
“I really like the thought of Arsenal signing Brentford’s David Raya,” said Collymore. “I have been really critical of the Gunners under Mikel Arteta before but this is a decision I really like.
“Aaron Ramsdale did really well last season, especially during the first half of the campaign, but you never want your keeper to become too comfortable in that position. You always want to keep them on their toes and provide as much quality competition as you can, and there is no doubt that Raya would do exactly that.
“I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the Spaniard went to Arsenal, kept Ramsdale out of the team and then, in a year’s time, we are talking about the Englishman facing an uncertain future at the Emirates.
“Declan Rice, after signing from West Ham earlier in the window, will add a lot to Arsenal, but will he make them automatic title contenders? – No, not in my opinion. And, although I can’t say Raya will, I do believe the Brentford keeper will have a greater overall impact than the £105 million midfielder.”
Raya and Rice at Arsenal
The main aim is to win the Premier League title this forthcoming season and end Manchester City’s dominance.
For 80% of the last campaign, the London club did a lot of things right.
But with Rice, and possibly Raya, through the door, then it will really elevate the club’s chances of securing silverware because of the quality of players they will bench.
As the 2022/23 Premier League season came to a close in May, former England striker Michael Owen labelled Raya as ‘top-class’ and even suggested that he is ‘one of the best goalkeepers’ in the league, as he told Premier League Productions (06/03/23 at 7:35 pm).
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