Some of the world's top 'keepers have already made high-profile errors this season when trying to get involved in build-up play
The summer transfer window ushered in a new era for elite Premier League goalkeepers, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all replacing their No.1s – at considerable expense in some cases.
Since then, each of the new arrivals, aside from Spurs stopper Guglielmo Vicario, have been placed under intense scrutiny. Andre Onana has endured the most challenging start, with the new United 'keeper never far from the headlines in his opening months at Old Trafford. Questions have also been asked of Robert Sanchez at Chelsea who, after a bright beginning, made a game-changing error in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
However, nowhere has the goalkeeping debate raged more aggressively than at the Emirates Stadium. Aaron Ramsdale is a popular figure in north London, but that did not stop Mikel Arteta pushing the club to sign David Raya from Brentford this summer.
Arteta has since been criticised for banishing the England international to the bench in favour of Raya, and the Spaniard's shaky, recent displays have done nothing but added further fuel to the argument.
Getty ImagesWhy do teams play out from the back?
The common thread running through all of these clubs' decisions to sign new goalkeepers is their desire to add a No.1 who's comfortable with the ball. David de Gea's lack of passing ability, for example, was a major bone of contention during his lengthy spell at Old Trafford, while Hugo Lloris was sometimes accused of indecisiveness in possession. In Chelsea's case, they wanted to continue what Kepa Arrizabalaga had been doing. Arsenal wanted similar continuity.
'Playing out from the back' is not a new concept, but it's become nearly omnipresent at the top level and beyond over the past five years or so. Only a handful of Premier League sides regularly play long from their goalkeeper, and even teams in the lowest reaches of the footballing pyramid, both in the UK and abroad, have started asking their stoppers to pass it short. It's even infected this writer's Sunday League team – to mixed success.
Although it makes some match-going fans wince in the stands, the benefits of this style are clear. On the most basic level, playing out allows teams to control games and move up the pitch gradually while retaining their shape, making it easier to implement the coach's attacking vision.
The goalkeeper being heavily involved in the first phase of this patient build-up is absolutely vital, as it gives the team in possession a numerical advantage. Shot-stoppers who thrive playing this style are rare, as they require strong passing technique, elite composure and the tactical awareness to think two or three passes ahead so their team can beat the opposition's press.
Finding a player that ticks all of these boxes is hard: that's why Alisson Becker and Ederson – viewed as extravagant overpays by Liverpool and Manchester City at the time – have proved to be excellent investments.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALArteta was brutal in the summer
Ramsdale performed better than many expected after joining Arsenal from relegated Sheffield United for £30 million ($36.7m) in 2021, but he remains some way off the level of those aforementioned Brazilians, and Arteta clearly felt an upgrade was necessary.
The Gunners were long-term admirers of Raya, and it had been clear for some time that he wouldn't be signing a new deal at Brentford, so it was little surprise when he rocked up in north London. It was brutal for Ramsdale – who was soon dropped for the Spaniard.
Since that move, Arteta has been criticised from all angles. Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel claimed having two Premier League-level starters would lead to each player looking to "prove themselves" when selected, which could result in errors. Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino chimed in too, calling the decision "dangerous", and referencing a similar situation he experienced at Paris Saint-Germain, when he had to keep both Gianluigi Donnarumma and Keylor Navas happy.
(C)GettyImagesBut he made the right choice
It may seem harsh, but it's easy to see why Arteta took the decision he did. Statistically, Raya was leaps and bounds ahead of Ramsdale in terms of shot-stopping last season. The Spaniard prevented a total of 5.0 xG for Brentford, while his now-Arsenal team-mate let in an excess 2.0 xG. Raya also outshone Ramsdale when it came to dominating his box, claiming 8.7 percent of the crosses he faced – the second-highest in the Premier League – compared to just 5.8% from the man he's replaced this season.
Raya also distributed the ball more effectively, registering far more successful passes and completing around 70% of his long balls over 40 yards – far more than Ramsdale. Even though Brentford were more set up to playing long than Arsenal were, this difference is striking and speaks to Raya's strength as a ball-playing goalkeeper.
GettyTeething problems
However, what should work in theory does not always in practise – especially in the Premier League pressure cooker. And since claiming the No.1 jersey, Raya has experienced a few shaky moments.
He was culpable for Lens' first goal in the Gunners' shock Champions League defeat earlier this month, failing to find Takehiro Tomiyasu when under pressure. Raya was shaky in the first half against Man City too, almost allowing Julian Alvarez to close him down and score in the first half. During that game, the Emirates crowd did not help his nerves, becoming increasingly unsettled as Arsenal played closer and closer to their own goal.
Then there was the Chelsea error this weekend, with Raya being completely wrongfooted by Mykhailo Mudryk's cross-cum-shot. Passing straight to Cole Palmer on the edge of the penalty area in the same half did little to quell the uneasy atmosphere in the away end, either.