Pundit says ‘brilliant’ 25-year-old Arsenal player strikes the ball almost as well as David Raya

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Adrian Clarke believes that Aaron Ramsdale is better in possession than many realise, and claimed that he could be as good as David Raya when it comes to striking the ball.

It has been a frustrating season for Aaron Ramsdale. The England international signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates late last season. However, Mikel Arteta sprung a surprise in the summer by making a move to sign David Raya on loan from Brentford.

Raya did not have to wait too long to seize the number one spot. And with that, Ramsdale has been a peripheral figure for much of the campaign.

Aaron Ramsdale praised after losing place to David Raya

It does not feel that Ramsdale has done a lot wrong to lose his place. However, Raya is known for being brilliant with the ball at his feet. And after taking some time to prove himself, the Spaniard is now showing why Arteta took the gamble to sign him in the summer.

But it would appear that Adrian Clarke would take exception with the idea of Ramsdale is nowhere near as good with his feet.

Speaking on Handbrake Off, Clarke lauded Raya, but insisted that Ramsdale is a lot better than some will necessarily give him credit for.

“Look, Ramsdale’s distribution is good as well. Don’t forget it. I’ll never forget the performance at Leicester a couple of years ago where he was zinging passes into midfield. Ramsdale is a brilliant distributor in my view,” he said.

“I think he’s more comfortable at luring opponents onto him and playing through gaps than Aaron Ramsdale. I think Aaron Ramsdale’s technique at striking the ball is almost as good, if not just as good as David Raya’s personally.

“David Raya has got a ping on him. David Raya can do the 70 yard launch over a high back four very well actually. But I don’t think there’s much. Raya is more suited to saying, ‘come on then, come and get me’, and then he’ll just pass it into someone through bodies. But I think in general, David Raya’s more confident now. His passing’s now better. Everything’s better about his game.”

Gunners will struggle to keep goalkeeper next season

If Arsenal go on and win the title, Arteta will be vindicated. But there is absolutely no question that trying to sign another goalkeeper was a massive roll of the dice.

Keeping Ramsdale is going to be incredibly difficult. As much as Arteta will want Ramsdale to stay, Arsenal surely cannot expect the 25-year-old to want to stay as number two.

As Clarke suggests, Ramsdale ticks so many boxes. And thus, there is surely going to be a number of takers for the goalkeeper this summer.