Morning all.
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright has an interview with David Raya in which our goalkeeper talks about his last 12 months in football.
Following Spain’s European Championship final win over England, his priority was to seek out Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale to offer consolation.
Obviously, I was over the moon, but I was upset for them as well because they worked so hard. They are really, really nice guys and they are my team-mates. It’s upsetting for them, and for the whole country, but for myself – this is something that I will never forget.
When I came to England at 16, the only thing I wanted to do was enjoy football and enjoy the challenge. Of course, you think about stuff that you might be able to do, but I just kept giving myself targets in the short and medium term, footballing-wise. Winning the Euros was one and playing for Arsenal was one. I’m happy to say that I have achieved some of my dreams.
David Raya had a great season for Arsenal, winning the golden glove of course but he also outclassed other clubs keepers in different areas of the game. 7 Arsenal moves which began with him, no other keeper managed more than 2.
Raya also talked about being on loan last season, hoping that the move would be made permanent.
When you break up for summer and you go with the internationals, you focus more on international football at that moment. But I had it in the back of my mind, ‘Am I going to sign? Am I not?’ It was a relief to sign the contract for the coming years. It’s a pleasure to be here, it’s fantastic, with the way the club is going, the players, the staff, everyone around the club, the fans. It’s amazing.
You don’t know how good it is until you are inside. It’s a pleasure to be here and it’s a dream come true to be able to be part of this club.
His move to Arsenal had a knock on effect for Aaron Ramsdale who had to get used to watching from bench. Speculation is that he’ll leave before the end of the transfer window and I can understand why he’d want to. He’s too good and too young to be sitting on the bench. Whichever club snaps him up will get a very good goalkeeper. Perhaps things would have turned out differently for him at Arsenal had injuries not derailed our 2022/23 league challenge. Raya on the other hand, had the benefit of a fully fit William Saliba, Gabriel and Ben White for most of last season. Admittedly, Arteta had problems to deal with a left back but this time around, he has a glut of talent to select from. Another area Raya benefited from was in midfield after Declan Rice arrived last summer. After all, a goalkeepers job is ‘easier’ when there’s a solid team in front of him.
When Raya was asked about Arsenal’s two central defenders:
Pfff,” he says, puffing out his cheeks at the mention of them, as if unsure where to start. They are so strong and the relationship they have between them is incredible, They both know where the other one is in every situation, so they have each other’s backs. And they’re so clever, both of them, considering they are relatively young. I know Wilo is a bit younger than Gabriel, but they are both relatively young and the positions they take up on the pitch to avoid stuff happening are incredible.
What about the new guy, Riccardo Calafiori?
He is very, very strong. He goes for the tackles. He just goes for it. He would put his head in a washing machine, if you know what I’m saying. But the main thing is that he’s a great guy as well as a great player.
There’s more to the interview than the bits I’ve covered as he talks about the impact Iñaki Caña has had on game but I’ll leave you to read that.
Catch up in the comments.
Sounds like Calafiari is settleing in well
It does..
Good morning Rico and all
Good thing you posted the Raya interview Rico. I wouldn’t have read it anywhere else these days.
Calafiori would put his head in a washing machine? with hair like that he needs to so as to keep it clean. Probably that is why its so shiny and wavy.
Imo he is a no nonsense defender who knows how to defend but more importantly knows the tactical side and besides his technique is sound. I guess he would be equally adept as to put the ball in row Z instead of trying to fancy dribble his way out of trouble if the need arises, as much as he is skillful.
Here we are having temperatures of 36-40. we are frying and there is not even a slight breeze. The sun is unbearable.
Morning Devil, I’m looking forward to seeing more of Calafiori. Just hope we can sign a couple more players who’ll give Arteta as strong an option further up the pitch.
Devil the 36-40 is fine during the day but it’s when it’s still 30 degrees at 3am is a pain in the you know what.
Good morning Rico and all.
Without being too cynical, that interview sounds like a public relations exercise. I wouldn’t expect anything less than fulsome praise for his team mates, coaches and the club in general if he wanted a trouble free time at Arsenal.
Morning Cicero. I thought similar.
After all, wouldn’t winning the World Cup rather than the Euros be top of his list? As for always wanting to play for Arsenal, what a load of poppycock.
Afternoon you cynical mob… 😄
Personally I think that David is being totally sincere and the moon is made of cheese.
You would Kev. 😂
WHAT!!! the moon isn’t made of cheese? 😢
players are like managers they only say what they think you want to hear.
You can only blame the cows for no cheese on the moon. only if they stopped instead of flying over the moon
There’s a whole lot of holes in the moon which leads to the suggestion that its made of cheese. Ccicero, you can rest easy. Kev is just being naughty about the comment regarding the moon being made of cheese. of course it is made of cheese and he knows that.
Its made of blue cheese which is healthy for your gut and bones.
Apparently, our opening offer for Merino has been rejected..
Fabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
·
1h
🚨🔴⚪️ More on Mikel Merino deal.
Arsenal and Real Sociedad have been in contact for weeks, formal bid part of the process after long verbal talks over deal structure.
Similar to Calafiori story, clubs negotiating best solution.
Merino wants Arsenal, contract 100% agreed.
I love cheese and in particular Canadian Cheddar and Parmesan
Stilton is also very more’ish.
Come on Edu, get that Merino deal over the line.
Devil, is there an indigenous cheese from Malta?
I am still not sure about Merino helping to strenghen the side.
Kev I maybe mistaken but I believe Malta cheese is called Gbejna it’s a milky type cheese similar to Ricotta, one of our local deli’s sell it. My wife brought it once and mixed it into the pasta
Aussie Geoff 100% right. We have our local cheese which is made from sheep milk. It’s delicious whether you take it fresh or in dry state.
Geoff, Merino has been one of the best midfielders in La Liga. Similar to Busquets in front of the defence. Rice and Odegaard would thrive with him in Partey’s position.
Kev, as Geoff has pointed out we have our Gbejna as the local cheese. I love all types of cheeses and can devour any cheese in the refrigerator. The good thing is that at home the missus and the prince hate any cheese so I have no one to contend with. Cheese is my domain
There is nothing more relaxing than a glass of 🍷, a bit of cheese 🧀 and later on a bit of 🍫
I’ll be happy if Merino signs, very happy. Here’s a her and now player who’ll bring vast experience to our midfield.
According to David Ornstein, Edu is in Spain and has been for a few days. He’s there to get the Merino deal done…
Rico have you been at the wine. “Here’s a her and now player” 😉
Oops Cicero. 😝
Gbejna, sounds a bit Punic to me?
Helim cheese is very nice grilled and put on toast.
I hope I am wrong about Merino if we get him,
According to The Times, Arsenal’s bid for Merino has been rejected by his club. Despite personal terms being agreed and the player wanting the move.
Roquefort is the best for a toasted cheese sandwich.
Inevitable our first bid would be refused, hopefully the second won’t..
Morning all
Testing
I’m back to my original avatar.
Reports in Spain suggest a fee of £25/30 million would be needed to tempt Real Sociedad to sell.
Well, if we expect other clubs to meet our asking price then we’ll have to meet Sociedad’s. Where else could we get an experienced player like him for less?
Isn’t Edu in Spain right now trying to sort out a deal?
If we pay the upper end of what Sociedad want, that might mean no more incoming business?
So Merino arriving looks like we put up the shutters on signings…
Of course if it’s €25m then that’ll equate to £21.4m which don’t look so bad for a 28 year old entering the last year of his contract.
He is Kev according to reports.
I don’t think Merino will be our only other signing if he arrives..
We still have Nketiah, Nelson, Ramsdale and possibly Kiwior to sell.
New post up.