Raya has been Mikel Arteta’s preferred option since mid-September (Picture: Getty)

David Raya says he has a ‘very healthy’ relationship with Aaron Ramsdale after replacing him as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Raya joined the Gunners on a season-long loan from Brentford with the option to make that deal permanent next summer if they pay a £27million fee.

Ramsdale remained Mikel Arteta’s no1 for the first four Premier League games of the season but was dropped for the visit to Everton in September.

The England international’s only appearances since then came against Brentford in the Carabao Cup with Raya also preferred in Champions League games against PSV Eindhoven and RC Lens.

While the two are in a constant battle for the no1 role, the Spaniard insists there is no animosity between the pair.

‘The relationship? It’s very good,’ said Raya. ‘At the end of the day, we are mates, which is the important thing. We have a very healthy relationship. There are no problems.

‘We push each other every day in training: when he’s a little bit down, I push him, and when I’m a little bit down [he does the same].

Raya eager to make his Arsenal stay permanent (Picture: Getty)

‘We train three goalkeepers, four at the most, for hours a week, and you need that kind of relationship because otherwise, the training is not going to go well.

‘Arteta gives me the confidence to be there, that he wanted to have two top players in each position, and it was up to me to find the time and fight to get the minutes.’

Despite being just six games into his Arsenal career, Raya is already eager to make the Emirates his permanent home.

‘Yes, I would have done it yesterday [if I could],’ he said when asked about the option to make his loan permanent.

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday 21 October when they head to Chelsea.

The Gunners are joint top of the Premier League following their win over Manchester City prior to the international break, level on points with neighbours Tottenham.

MORE : Kyle Walker speaks out on ‘a bit too much’ tunnel clash after Arsenal beat Man City

MORE : Reece James set to return for Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Arsenal

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Spaniard arrived on loan from Brentford in the summer.