Aaron Ramsdale has become one of the most popular figures at Arsenal since he signed.

While the possible transfer was met with disappointment from a lot of fans when he was first linked, Ramsdale soon got fans on his side, not just through his performances but also his character.

Despite only being 24, he’s become a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room while also winding up rival fans.

Naturally, his charm and personality helped endear himself to fans immediately, while he’s also put in some impressive shot-stopping performances and has been mostly excellent at distributing the ball.

However, recent news has shown that Arsenal are interested in signing Brentford keeper David Raya, which has left some fans confused.

Is Ramsdale considered surplus to requirements, or is the bid merely a smokescreen?

The David Raya Bid

Arsenal exceeded all expectations last season. While they were originally predicted to finish outside the top four by most sportsbooks, they ended up competing for the title with Man City, leading the race for most of the season before eventually dropping crucial points in the final run-in and finishing second place. This season, their odds are much better, with Arizona online sports betting sites having them as second favorites to win the title.

The performances of the team last season have certainly helped, and so have their moves in the transfer market. Arsenal have bolstered their squad with big signings, including Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber, all helping to provide much-needed depth and quality.

However, it seems that their transfer dealings aren’t done just yet.

The latest news is that Arsenal have agreed personal terms with David Raya and have launched a £20 million bid with add-ons to secure the Spanish goalkeeper.

Raya has been one of the best performers in the league in terms of goalkeeping statistics and has been valued at £40 million, helping Brentford finish ninth in the table.

Ramsdale’s performances at Arsenal

When Ramsdale signed for Arsenal from Sheffield United, the transfer was met with a lot of disappointment from fans. He has ended up relegated the previous two seasons and wasn’t considered the standard that Arsenal should be looking for.

However, his debut season was excellent, with statistics showing he was one of the best keepers in the league.

Yet Ramsdale’s performances dropped off somewhat last season, with costly mistakes showing he still has more development and growing to do.

He was still a great keeper, but his save percentage dipped to 70.6% from 73.4% the year before. Compared to Raya’s 77.7%, it’s easy to see why Arteta would be interested in a change.

Will Ramsdale be replaced?

Although it’s clear that Arteta is highly focused on making Arsenal the best possible team, it’s unlikely that Ramsdale will be replaced, even if the Raya signing is completed.

The move is simply a way to increase competition within the squad and ensure that Ramsdale gets more time to develop his skills and continue to improve.

The other signings that Arteta has made show that he’s interested in building a team with depth in every position. If you look at Manchester City, they have highly talented players competing for positions all over the pitch, ensuring that each player continually pushes to give their best.

This culture of competition and excellence is what Arteta wants to cultivate with Arsenal, and signing Raya will help ensure Ramsdale is always giving his best and avoiding regression.

This will also be the first season since 2016/17 that Arsenal have played in the Champions League, so Ramsdale will still get plenty of opportunities to play.