Brentford ‘could look to exploit’ one area of concern for Arsenal in Saturday’s clash

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Arsenal are set to face Brentford on Saturday, and Mikel Arteta will be forced into one change in his team selection.

David Raya is ineligible to face his parent club, having joined on an initial loan from the West London side in the summer, and Aaron Ramsdale will return between the sticks, after losing his place to Raya early on in the season.

Arteta has praised Ramsdale ahead of the clash, claiming that the England International is ready to step in, whilst his attitude has also been recently commended.

However, despite Ramsdale’s obvious quality, Raya’s recent performances have seen him become the best cross-claiming goalkeeper in the Premier League, and Brentford could now look to target Ramsdale on set-pieces.

Brentford could target Aaron Ramsdale on set-pieces

Speaking on the Handbrake Off Podcast, journalist James McNicholas claimed that Brentford may try and exploit Ramsdale on set-pieces.

“From a defensive perspective, this season David Raya’s been very, very good at coming off his line and collecting crosses, to the extent that I think the opposition are almost giving up trying to stop him,” he stated.

“With Aaron Ramsdale, when he plays in goal for Arsenal, when there’s corners, when there’s free kicks, he tends to get very, very crowded, and it can get quite congested in that six yard box.

“We’ve seen opposition teams do that to him before, and sometimes have been successful in that.

“Set pieces are a real strength of theirs, it’s been a strength of ours all season long, and we’re lucky to have a goalkeeper as good as Aaron Ramsdale on the bench to come in, but I am interested to see if that’s an area that Brentford perhaps could look to exploit on Saturday.”

Should Arsenal be worried about Brentford’s set-pieces?

Arsenal have been excellent at attacking and defending set-pieces this season. However, despite an incredible run of form where Arteta’s side have conceded just three times in seven games, Brentford’s biggest threat comes from set plays.

Ivan Toney and Neal Maupay may not get chances in open play at the Emirates, but they can threaten in the air, and without Raya stopping crosses early, Ramsdale may find extra players surrounding him on set-pieces.

Brentford scored from a set-piece at the Emirates last season, although this was later disputed as it emerged that the goal should have been ruled out for offside.

Nevertheless, it is a big game for Ramsdale to show his worth, but if he was to concede from a cross, then it would reflect badly on him given that this is one of Raya’s biggest strengths.