Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has emphasised that there are "no number ones" within his team, following the club’s acquisition of goalkeeper David Raya.
The 27-year-old has been brought in from Brentford on a season-long loan, with the possibility of a permanent deal.
Arteta's strategic move revolves around intensifying the competition in the goalkeeping department, with Raya poised to challenge the current England goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale for the no. 1 spot.
In Arteta's words: "To be better [as a team], the environment has to be better."
He highlighted that Ramsdale, 25, achieved 14 clean sheets last season, contributing to Arsenal's second-place finish behind champions Manchester City.
Nonetheless, Arteta anticipates that Raya's entrance and the heightened rivalry for spots in the squad will inspire the Gunners to elevate their performance standards.
In Arteta's view, the daily demand for maintaining a 100% effort leads to a natural elevation in performance levels. He stated: "When you have to be at 100% every day, believe me, your level increases.
"We have two great goalkeepers, just like we have two great left wingers, two great holding midfielders, two great strikers. There is no number one - not in any position."
Arteta also spoke about Jurrien Timber, who sustained an injury in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Nottingham and will be undergoing surgery on his injured ACL.
"What happened to Jurrien can happen to anyone. If Aaron [Ramsdale] did his cruciate, we have to be prepared and proactive. Now, we have two excellent goalkeepers who exactly fit our model."
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