David Raya makes his first Arsenal start with Aaron Ramsdale relegated to the bench for the Gunners’ clash with Everton… as Fabio Vieira replaces Kai Havertz in the starting XI

• Mikel Arteta opted to hand David Raya his first Arsenal start in Everton clash 
• Gunners’ boss also dropped summer signing Kai Havertz in favour of Fabio Vieira
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

David Raya will make his first start for Arsenal after he was selected over Aaron Ramsdale in the starting XI for their trip to Everton.

The former Brentford goalkeeper joined the Gunners’ this summer to provide competition to Aaron Ramsdale for the club’s No 1 spot.

Meanwhile fellow new arrival Kai Havertz has also been replaced in the starting XI after notching an assist on international duty as Germany defeated France in a friendly, with Fabio Vieira taking his place for the clash against the Toffees. 

Mikel Arteta also once again decided to stick with Eddie Nketiah up front, with last season’s marquee arrival Gabriel Jesus named on the bench.

The changes come following a week where the Gunners’ boss explained that he was forced to involve himself in training due to the club having a number of players available, with the 41-year-old taking training matches this week as cover.

David Raya(right) will make his first Arsenal start with the former Brentford star replacing Aaron Ramsdale for the Gunners’ clash with Everton

Kai Havertz was replaced by Fabio Vieira in the only other change from the club’s 3-1 win over Man United before the international break

Eddie Nketiah retained his place up front, with Gabriel Jesus starting the clash at Goodison Park on the bench

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‘Well it was forced! It was nothing that I wanted to do, but yeah, we had one or two players and some academy players that could not join.’ He told Sky Sports.

Arteta’s decision to sign a new goalkeeper raised eyebrows this summer, particularly with Raya being unlikely to be deployed as a traditional backup given his sizeable reputation after earning plaudits during successive Premier League campaigns with the Bees.

Last month ex-England goalkeeper Ben Foster questioned the decision to challenge Ramsdale’s No 1 spot, calling the move ‘pathetic’.

‘He’s [Ramsdale] been a top goalie for two years. He’s on the edge of being England’s number one with Jordan Pickford, he’s right there. 

‘When he’s full of confidence and he’s got a manager putting his arm around him, he’s as good as anyone in this country.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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