Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has now described how Aaron Ramsdale reacted to manager Mikel Arteta axing the goalkeeper to start David Raya at Everton on Sunday.
Leandro Trossard secured the Gunners a 1-0 win at Goodison Park to remain unbeaten in the Premier League this term. The Toffees clash also returned just Arsenal’s second clean sheet after shutting Crystal Palace out. Ramsdale opened the action in a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park.
Ramsdale has been Arteta’s undisputed No1 in goal since, near enough, the day he arrived in north London. Arsenal paid Sheffield United £24m, rising to £30m, to get the 25-year-old on the back of their relegation to the Championship in August 2021. The fee has been a bargain.
Ramsdale wasted no time ousting Leno to become vital for Arsenal
Bernd Leno was a solid option between the sticks at Emirates Stadium before Ramsdale took over from the German. Arteta believed he could improve their tactics by having a goalkeeper who was comfortable whilst playing on the ball. It has become fundamental to their system.
Arteta initially stuck with Leno following Ramsdale’s transfer, yet he dropped the 31-year-old after just two further games. The Spaniard opted to name Ramsdale as Arsenal’s new starter after three consecutive defeats. Ramsdale came in after the September international break.
Ramsdale went on to start in 34 of Arsenal’s following 35 Premier League games in 2021/22. He also kept 12 clean sheets to just 39 goals conceded, whilst only missing one game due to an injury. Gareth Southgate also handed Ramsdale his debut for England in November 2021.
Leno would join Fulham in August 2022 as Arsenal signed Matt Turner as Ramsdale’s No2 for the 2022/23 season. Yet the American was no threat for the shot-stopper, as he started in all 38 of the Gunners’ top-flight games. He also enjoyed 14 clean sheets to 43 goals conceded.
Raya has given Ramsdale a taste of his own medicine at Arsenal
Yet as Arteta was not happy with the challenge that Turner gave Ramsdale, Arsenal moved to sign Raya off Brentford. The 28-year-old was among the Premier League’s best goalkeepers last season with 12 clean sheets in 38 outings. He helped the Bees finish the season in ninth.
Raya joined Arsenal on loan for £3m with Brentford also giving Arteta a £27m option to buy the Spaniard. And, like Ramsdale, he only had to wait until after the September international break to feature. Arteta gave Raya his Arsenal debut as they won 1-0 at Everton last Sunday.
Arteta felt the fixture offered a good chance to see what Raya could offer after three games as an unused substitute. His decision raised some eyebrows, though, given how important Ramsdale – who can be caught out of position – has been for Arsenal ever since his transfer.
What has Odegaard said about Ramsdale and Raya?
Arsenal captain Odegaard does not expect Ramsdale will lose any confidence, despite Raya giving the Chesterton native a taste of his own medicine at Everton. The midfielder has also praised how Ramsdale reacted to Arteta axing the goalkeeper at Goodison Park last Sunday.
“I think he will just keep working hard, like he is always doing today,” Odegaard said, via the Mirror, after Arsenal’s 1-0 win. “He was there supporting us, cheering for us [and] helping us. He is a great character and he showed a very good response today by backing the team.
“It was excellent from him. We have two good goalkeepers and big competition. They have different qualities. They are both so good on the ball and in goal, as well. So, we are lucky to have two such good goalkeepers and we will see who plays.”
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