Former Man Utd goalkeeper, Schmeichel blasts Arteta over Raya deal

Peter Schmeichel, the former goalkeeper of Manchester United, has voiced his strong disapproval of Arsenal’s recent signing, David Raya. The Danish goalkeeper, celebrated for his achievements including a Champions League victory with United in 1999, has expressed skepticism about Arsenal’s decision to acquire Raya from Brentford on an initial loan basis.

Schmeichel’s concerns primarily revolve around the potential complications arising from having two prominent goalkeepers vying for the coveted no.1 position. He contends that such a strategy may undermine the confidence and consistency of the goalkeepers involved.

The legendary goalkeeper shared his perspective, stating, “I absolutely do not get it. I cannot understand how a manager can come to the conclusion that it’s a great thing to have competition for the No 1 shirt.”

In Schmeichel’s view, the role of a goalkeeper is unique and requires a steady and unyielding presence. He asserts that introducing a competition for the goalkeeper position could create unnecessary insecurity within the team and might inadvertently lead to inconsistent performances.

He explains, “When you have a competition situation, he also plays that game for himself and for that position, and I don’t get it. What you do is you put a lot of insecurity into the two of them.”