Most of this week we have been discussing David Raya and a potential £40million move for the Spanish keeper.
Throughout, I have struggled to see how we can accomodate both Raya and Aaron Ramsdale. I am of the belief that they are of a similar level. I also do not agree with the concept of “two top keepers job sharing. One in the leage, the other in the cups”. I think it spells a recipe for disaster.
The issue is, if Matt Turner leaves Arsenal, we will need to sign someone to replace him.
Runar Alex Runarsson is not even Championsip level, whilst both Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo are too raw to be 2nd choice. So what other options are there?
This blog started with me trying to find 5 names that could be 2nd choice to Ramsdale. In the end there was only one candidate I felt I could put forward. Keylor Navas
My first thought when I read the Turner news was “why would he go to Forest to be second choice behind Navas”. I had not realised that the Costa Rican had only signed a 6 month deal back in January.
When looking for a second choice keeper, you either need to go for a young up-and-commer who is on the verge of stepping up to 1st choice, or an experienced old timer who is happy to sit on the bench for the last year or two of his career.
With Ramsdale being just 25-years-old, it is unlikely there will be too many young keepers that would be able to take his glvoes in the coming year or two. As they improve, so will Ramsdale (hopefully). That leaves us at the other end of the market.
Navas is now 36-years-old, but he showed for Forest that he still has those cat-like reflexes that saw him play for Real Madrid and PSG during his career. He was one of their best players as Forest survived in the Premier League.
Any cover for Ramsdale needs to replicate what Aaron can do on the ball. We can not afford to change our style of playe just because a goalkeeper is injured. Navas is very good on the ball.
He always seems to know when he can play it short, and when he should just get rid. Navaz is also not one to take risks or try and overdo it with the ball at his feet.
Whilst 36 might seem old, plenty of goalkeepers have gone well beyond this into their career. You would expect Arsenal could get at least 2 good eyars out of him. And those 2-years could be essential for the development for Hein.
The big worry will be Saudi Arabia, and to a lesser extent the MLS.
You can certainly see the Saudi’s offering him huge money for a couple of years with them. Having an ex-Madrid and PSG keeper playing week in week out would be seen as a coup.
Meanwhile the MLS would be like taking one step back home – Costa Rica is less than a 3 hour flight from Miami for example.
With the next World Cup 3-years away, and in America, you can certainly see Navas thinking that a few years in the MLS will be the best chance for him to play in a (nearly) home World Cup.
We obviously will not compete with Saudi Arabia over wages, whilst the MLS could be a more attractive option.
If not Navas, and not Raya, I am not sure who else is out there…
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
He is being brought in for accuracy in kicking from defence to attack his precision is second to none, he would be worth a few goals over the course of the season. With our new pacy set up.
But I agree how do we keep both happy.
No one would swap Matt for Navas
Backward step
LikeLike
Completely agree with you on this. I just don’t see the point of having Raya come to us at the moment.
Ramsdale is a very good keeper and loves being with us and signing someone of his calibre would only cause issues in my opinion
Surely this month is better spent elsewhere?
Navas makes far more sense if we could get him
LikeLike