David Raya says competition from Aaron Ramsdale to be Arsenal No1 has made him a better goalkeeper.
Raya joined on loan from Brentford in the summer and has taken over from Ramsdale as first-choice at Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s decision to drop Ramsdale has sparked huge debate, but Raya insists the pair have a good relationship and their battle is making him improve.
“He is a top, top goalkeeper and a top, top team-mate,” said Raya. “We are team-mates, we are fighting for one position.
“That’s the only problem being a goalkeeper, there is only one that can play and I am just there to help the team as much as possible.
“Aaron and me we have a good relationship, especially as we push each other in every training session. That is going to make us better and it is going to make the team better.
“Of course [he has made me a better goalkeeper], and I think I have made him a better goalkeeper.
“If we see with each other when we are training that we can help each other, that’s how we are and that’s how we do. That’s the GK union that from the outside that you see.”
There has been plenty of scrutiny on the goalkeeper position at Arsenal since Raya came in, but the Spaniard insists he is paying no attention to it.
“I am just focused on football,” he said. “I have been focused on football since I came and I don’t listen to the outside world.”
Raya kept a clean sheet as Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 on Sunday to go top of the Premier League.
The Gunners next face title rivals Liverpool on Saturday at Anfield, where they have not won since 2012.
Arteta last season described the atmosphere there as a “jungle” but Raya says he will have no issue continuing to play out from the back, even in a hostile environment.
“I don’t think it is hard, it is just the way the gaffer wants to play,” he said. “I am there to help the team as much possible. If the gaffer wants me to play the way I am playing, it is the way it is.
“The most important thing is to win games and win the way the gaffer wants to win.
"Aaron and I have a good relationship and push each other... that is going to make us and the team better"
“Of course it is a massive game for any of the top teams playing against Liverpool away from home - with Anfield and the atmosphere, like you said before.
“I think comparing the last time I played there with Brentford and what we are going to face on Saturday is completely different.
“I think obviously they (the fans) will be more on top of us now, especially as we are fighting to be on top of the Premier League.
“It is going to be very, very important but we don’t have to focus on the atmosphere. We have to focus on ourselves and the football, and win the match.
“I think pressure is what you put on yourself. I don’t think [about] the pressure from the outside, because I don’t listen to the outside world.”
