‘FASCINATING’: MICHAEL OWEN CAN’T BELIEVE ARSENAL’S TRANSFER CALL ON 27-YEAR-OLD

Michael Owen says he finds it ‘fascinating’ that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal decided to sign David Raya, even though they have Aaron Ramsdale in between the sticks.

At the start of the summer, the goalkeeping position wasn’t an area Arsenal fans would have highlighted as one that needed upgrading because Aaron Ramsdale had faired well for the club.

But Mikel Arteta clearly had other ideas and decided to bring David Raya in from Brentford, with Owen questioning if that now puts unnecessary pressure on Arsenal’s current number one, as he told Premier League Productions (21/08/23 at 7:45 pm).

It has certainly divided opinion, some think that the competition is great, but others feel that the Gunners are treading on possible troubling waters.

Premier League legend Peter Schmeichel has been pretty vocal about it, as he couldn’t understand Arsenal’s call and he thinks that the north London side are making a mistake.

That was touched upon by Owen, as he also shared his own thoughts on this move by Arsenal.

“I think it’s fascinating because I agree, you do need competition in all areas of the pitch,” said Owen. “But I was fascinated by an article I read that Peter Schmeichel said that ‘one area of the pitch, that you don’t need too much competition and you almost need a pecking order is a goalkeeper’.

“We have seen it at Chelsea, with Courtois and Cech. When you have two absolute top goalkeepers vying for one position.

“Now does it put the pressure on him? If he makes a mistake, does he think ‘oh, no’. Whereas, if you hadn’t signed such a good goalkeeper.

“It might even raise his game to another level, Ramsdale. But I found it interesting coming from someone like Peter Schmeichel that ‘I don’t understand this and I don’t agree with it’.”