Arsenal players may think it's brutal but Mikel Arteta's decision is genius

It's a perfectly valid question, and those who have raised concerns over how the impending David Raya versus Aaron Ramsdale duel for Arsenal's number one jersey may impact Arsenal's spirit and camaraderie, have a point.

A happy and united Gunners dressing room will have been taken aback by Mikel Arteta's pursuit of the Brentford star.

Outwardly it will be all smiles at London Colney, with every player that's asked, publicly welcoming someone who clearly strengthens them. But underneath that breezy exterior many will probably be thinking, 'wow, that's brutal for Aaron' - and we don't yet know what that will do for morale.

Personally, I think Raya's arrival is a timely jolt that reminds everybody that Arteta's Arsenal has no intention of standing still.

Remember, Ramsdale came into Arsenal's starting Xi in 2021 just after they had finished eighth on just 61 points.

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He's performed extremely well and is popular with fans and players. But, as somebody like Emile Smith Rowe has found to his cost, the bar has now been raised. To stay in the side, you have to keep on improving.

His first public reaction to the news was, I think, encouraging. Behaving like a grown-up he told ITV Sport last Sunday, "Bring it on! Nothing comes easy in football, but also at the same time you need to move along and adapt as well. If it happens then we'll fight, and we'll make each other the best version of ourselves."

And that, in a nutshell is why Arteta has opportunistically moved for Raya, initially on loan with the option to buy him outright for £27million next summer.

Would Ramsdale have been able to fulfil his true potential with Matt Turner as his long-term deputy? I am not so sure. The USA international is a decent keeper, but never did he look capable of usurping the former Bournemouth custodian.

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Unlike many of his teammates the 25-year-old just didn't have serious competition for his place.

His form has been fine (if not at the heights it was in 2021/22) but consciously or not, Ramsdale was in the comfort zone - and that's not a domain the Arsenal manager wants his players sitting in for long.

Rather than thinking of this as Raya versus Ramsdale, I prefer to look at the situation as Raya AND Ramsdale.

Providing they both behave professionally - and I'd be staggered if they don't - I love the idea of two top-class keepers pushing one another.

It is the second most important role on the pitch, behind a striker. A good stopper wins you extra points; a bad one costs you them. It really is that simple. So having a pair of top class keepers has to considered a huge positive.

This may only be a one season shoot-out, as by the end of this campaign Arteta will have his preference. Sharing gametime they'll scrap it out to see who's the best, and that scenario must drive up standards.

Raya's arrival in N5 is also an insurance policy, of course. What if Ramsdale had picked up a serious long-term injury and there was no option but to promote Turner? That type of doomsday scenario would have shifted Arsenal's status from title contenders to top four hopefuls.

This is no longer a concern, which Gunners fans will find reassuring.

Who is the best man for the job? Well, we will find out over the course of the 202324 campaign, where I presume Ramsdale will initially be handed Premier League duties, with Raya playing in the domestic cups, and maybe, the Champions League.

Whatever Arteta decides, both men will know their status is always subject to change, based on form. Which is how it should be.

Statistically Raya was top man last term. For the Bees he enjoyed a phenomenal campaign that saw him keep out almost six additional goals, according to Opta.

His save accuracy was the best of any first choice regular in the division, and the Spaniard's save percentage numbers also outshone Ramsdale (see below) too. His decisiveness at coming out to catch crosses is another key trait.

From now on though, they start from scratch.

It's Ramdale's shirt to keep, and in his favour is the fact he's proven he can handle the pressure and expectation of being Arsenal's number one. Not everyone can hack playing for a big club in big matches, but the England international's character is strong.

Raya has this loan spell to show that he too can cope with more challenging expectations, and the extra eyeballs which will be on him.

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I can't wait to watch the story unfold. May the best man win.