David Raya says Aaron Ramsdale must ‘fight’ to regain his place in the Arsenal team, after the Spaniard replaced his teammate for recent fixtures.
Raya signed for Arsenal from Brentford during the summer as Mikel Arteta sought to add a second leading goalkeeper to his squad.
England international Ramsdale has been the Gunners’ first-choice goalkeeper across the last two seasons and started Arsenal’s first four fixtures of the Premier League campaign, but has dropped to the bench for clashes with Everton and PSV Eindhoven across the last week.
Arteta has opened up on his decision to sign Raya, adding the unusual dynamic of two first-choice goalkeepers competing for the same position in his squad.
Raya has kept consecutive clean sheets since making his debut at Everton and the summer signing says Ramsdale must ‘fight’ if he wants to regain his place in the side.
“That’s his choice, it’s not my choice,” Raya said to Sky Sports on Arteta’s decision to start him in recent fixtures.
“If Aaron comes back in he needs to fight for the team and to win games.
“I think it’s the first time that two top goalies are on the same team. That’s just part of football now. The gaffer wants two top players for each position and that’s what we have to work with.”
Arsenal take on Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday and Raya says he has been given no assurances of his place in the team for this weekend’s game.
“I played the last two games and I don’t know what’s going to happen on Sunday.”
