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Nearly nine months have passed since Mikel Arteta made that bizarre argument regarding his goalkeepers.
They are interchangeable, just like any other position, was the rationale given after David Raya had usurped Aaron Ramsdale for Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Everton in September.
It was put to him that it was a highly unusual strategy. ‘That’s strange?’ he asked in reply. ‘Why? Why not? We have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something when something is happening and you want to change momentum. Do it.’
Sure enough, those words now seem like they were misleading, a smokescreen. Or maybe Raya has just been so good that the thought of rotation has gone out of Arteta’s mind.
Because 15 clean sheets later, Raya has secured the Golden Glove — the award for the most clean sheets kept by a keeper in a Premier League season — with two games still left. Everton’s Jordan Pickford (12) and Fulham keeper Bernd Leno (10) lie in his wake.
David Raya (pictured) showed why Mikel Arteta chose him to be the club's number one after securing the Premier League's golden glove at the weekend
Raya has kept 15 clean sheets in the English top-flight this season - the most out of any goalkeeper
Raya's brilliance for Arsenal this season has led to Aaron Ramsdale becoming the club's backup shot-stopper
It is some feat and is vindication for Arteta. After some heroic displays by Ramsdale in the previous campaign, including one stunning fingertip save to earn a point at Anfield, it was a brave move to drop him. Especially as Arsenal, before their almighty drop-off last April, led the title race throughout the season.
Raya is not perfect but Arteta
