Who starts against Spurs ? For me it has to be Raya. I just think his ball control and distribution is better. He offers that sweeper/keeper role which against a team like Spurs, who will come and play, will keep the flow of the game moving quicker and stop Spurs from pressing us. Ramsdale is a quality keeper, and we haven't really seen Raya tested yet in an Arsenal shirt, but for me this quality just edges it in his favour
Yeah agreed, Raya for me. Ramsdale's done a good job for us the last two years. He was a pleasant surprise. When we signed him, I thought we'd gone crazy. But he's proven me wrong. However, even though he's made some incredible saves and transformed the way we play from the back, some of the goals we've conceded were totally avoidable. And if you want to compete for major honours, those minute details make a huge difference. Whether its lapses in concentration, poor positioning or a general weakness with decision-making, it's clear to me that the Arsenal coaching staff have concerns over his improvements in these departments. Raya exudes calmness and is very comfortable playing out even when he's being closed down by opposition attacker. He claims crosses with authority. He covers his near post well. And I see him frequently communicating with the CBs. If we want the optimal chance of winning the game, then Raya has to start in goal for us.
Saw a clip with Ian Wright talking about the fine margins that we need to improve on to match City. He was saying that Arteta will be looking at every aspect of the squad and how we play to see where those extra improvements can come from. And GK is one of them. As you say Ramsdale has done a great job since he's come in, but if you can improve on him, as a coach you would do it. It will be interesting to see how Raya fairs with shot stopping and those reaction saves that Ramsdale is very good at. But like Arteta says, it's a good headache to have when it comes to selection.
He's not done too badly against you in the NLD, to be fair He's won 3 out of the 4 that he's played in. Good luck charm, perhaps?
We’ve been so **** you could’ve played without a keeper in probably two of those three wins, lol. Raya is quality however, said it for a while, probably only behind Ederson and Alisson in the Prem. Wanted him at Spurs, although in fairness to Vicario he’s made me eat my words on him so far as I really weren’t convinced from clips I’d seen and his pre-season form - but that’s now guaranteed a howler from him on the weekend as I’m on a terrible roll of jinxing **** after I praise someone.
I guess we'll see how it goes. Despite our record against you at The Emirates, I am quite nervous for it - though I always feel nervy ahead of the NLD, regardless of form or position in the league table. Ultimately, there's a lot more expectation on us to get the job done and win than there is on you guys turning up to get a result, as this is Arteta's 4th full year and Ange is only at the beginning of his Spurs tenure. He's impressed me a lot so far (minus his approach for the early League Cup exit lol) and will no doubt make this game a much tougher contest than Conte did in both games last season. If nothing else, it should be an entertaining spectacle, but if I'm honest, I just want the game out the way so I can stop stressing out .
I think there’s always expectation on the home side anyway, regardless of form or how far in development both teams are. I’m genuinely expecting a loss but I’m not expecting a limp display like we put in both games last season, I’ll still be frothing at the final whistle though because I hate losing this (state the obvious, DH). We’ve been so refreshing to watch but we’ve yet to be fully tested by a top side yet and whilst individually all of our defenders have been really good so far, I’ve seen weaknesses in our defensive cohesion due to the fact a number are new to the team and league and that leads me to think we’ll be conceding a few. I’m absolutely loving Ange and I get the feeling we’re on a similar to journey to that of prime Poch years but I’m well aware there’ll be some big bumps along the way, Fulham however was certainly avoidable, we likely put 2-3 past them with our first XI and get the job done in 90 mins, no idea why he chopped and changed it so much.
I think Ramsdale is the better shotstopper. Raya is marginally better with his distribution. The main thing that's edging it though is Raya is calmer, more assured whereas Ramsdale is nervy/erratic at times. Love Ramsdale though, He's still young if he can become more assured, calm, confident he can be one of the best keepers out there.
Has to be Raya, only because it would be very confusing and unsettlingly to just drop Raya now. The moment he was picked for the UCL game he became the #1. The rotation pretence went out the window. Ramsdale is now in the position of being a #2 and trying to win the place. Unless Raya makes serious errors he should play every game, with Ramsdale being sold in January. Not saying it should have been like this, but it is. It’s a fantasy to think a club can carry two #1 goalies. A quite stupid departure from reality by Mikel with all his goal keeper sub nonsense. He needs to back track on that crazy thinking and listen to people like David Seaman.
Disagree with that. Having two top keepers is exactly what Arteta wants. If he can keep them both happy and challenging for the no1 spot, then it's win win. Both will get games, there are potentially up to 60 odd games to play if we do well in the cup comps
Got a feeling that this is going to be a belter of a NLD. Both teams are playing well and Spurs will want to come and play against us, so it should make for a really open game. The fans are always up for this one, and if the game pans out how I think, with open end to end stuff, it will be electric at the Emirates. I think we've got the edge on you in terms of quality, but these games are always so open that it's hard to predict. I think there will be goals though Going for 5-4 to us.
9/10 it usually is a cracker. We’ve both said it on the Prem board for ages now that we’re the best rivalry in the Prem in terms of delivering up to rivalry expectations. Usually always goals, red cards and incidents of some sort. Yeah agree, I think you’ve got the edge on us in a few areas at the moment. I predicted 2-1 to you lot on our prediction thread but I wouldn't be surprised if we do get a score line like you've said as well.
Yeah - I'm wondering if Arteta might actually pick Ramsdale this weekend. I suppose just because it's not traditionally done - doesnt mean it can't work.
Can't see us getting a result but am really hoping we actually bother to turn up cos at your place we ain't bothered turning up since Pochettino left and that was in the quarter finals of the league cup. Genuinely don't remember the last time we played well at your place.
I don't think he'll be happy with it and I agree that the rotation thing isn't really a thing. Raya is no1 as of the moment he was picked against Everton It's up to Ramsdale to try and displace him.
No such thing as keeping two goal keepers happy when both see themselves as deserving number one. Every club has a clear number one goal keeper. End of! I can’t even key two goal keepers happy in FPL. This is a poor experiment by lil’ Pep Arteta trying to reinvent the wheel by being “innovative”. What a twat! At least have the balls to call it what it is by making it clear that one of them your clear number one. Unlike outfield players, goalkeepers can’t have doubts. When doubts creep in, the result will be there for all to see. Eventually Ramsdale will have to leave and it may be as early as January. Not only that, team mates will look at that and have a think too.
Experiment away to find out! Show me one successful team in the world without a recognized number one!
