Ben Foster Completely Changes His Opinion On Arsenal Star After Criticism

Image credit: Getty Images

Former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster has made a dramatic U-turn on his opinion of David Raya, admitting he initially doubted the Arsenal goalkeeper but now believes he is becoming the best in the league.

Foster was highly critical of Arsenal’s decision to sign Raya on an initial season-long loan from Brentford, calling the move “pathetic” at the time. The Gunners paid a £3 million loan fee with an option to make the deal permanent for £27 million, a transfer that Foster strongly opposed, believing Arsenal already had a top-quality goalkeeper in Aaron Ramsdale.

Speaking on his YouTube channel when the deal was completed, Foster did not hold back in his assessment. “I hate it, it’s pathetic. It’s something that didn’t need to happen,” Foster said.

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“They did not need to sign David Raya. Ramsdale has been a top goalie for two years. He’s on the edge of being England’s number one with Jordan Pickford. When he’s full of confidence and has a manager backing him, he’s as good as anybody in this country.”

Arsenal - David Raya — **David Raya (Image credit: Getty Images)**

However, three years into Raya’s spell at Arsenal, Foster has completely changed his stance, now hailing the Spanish shot-stopper as one of the league’s finest.

Foster’s shift in opinion comes after Raya’s standout performance against Manchester United, where he made several crucial saves, including a spectacular double save in the dying moments at Old Trafford to preserve Arsenal’s advantage.

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Speaking on The Cycling GK Podcast, Foster praised Raya’s consistency and shot-stopping ability. “I think he’s made three or four double saves this season, and I genuinely believe other goalkeepers would struggle to make those,” Foster stated.

When asked if Raya should now be considered the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, he responded: “Yeah, I think if he carries on the way he’s going, he’s so under the radar, he’s so unassuming—he just goes about his business. He doesn’t make a big show of it, he just makes great saves. He’s proper about it, and I like that about him.”

Foster’s praise reflects the growing recognition of Raya’s impact at Arsenal, with the Spaniard proving himself as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s title-challenging squad.