‘Good mentality’: Arsenal star now defends Aaron Ramsdale after mistake vs Brentford

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Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had a disastrous return to the starting lineup as he made a crucial error against Brentford, but was bailed out at the end.

Arsenal had taken the lead through Declan Rice, but conceded a calamitous goal in stoppage time of the first half as Ramsdale was closed down by Yoane Wissa, with the ball ending up in the back of the net.

Ramsdale did make several good saves in the second half as he tried to redeem himself, and Kai Havertz saved the day with his late winner to secure all three points.

William Saliba defends Aaron Ramsdale after Brentford error

Speaking to BEIN Sports after the game, defender William Saliba defended Ramsdale despite his mistake, and praised his side’s spirit to fight for the victory.

“We said we have to come out in the second half to win,” he revealed about the half-time team talk.

“Everyone has made mistakes, in the last month I made two mistakes and my team saved me, so second half is the reverse because they had three good chances and he saved us, so that’s a good mentality from the team.”

Ramsdale recovered well in the second half of Arsenal’s victory

Ramsdale’s lack of game time was evident in his performance, as he looked completely shot of confidence after his mistake.

He did step up his game in the second half, making vital saves including from a long-range effort from Ivan Toney, and helped Arsenal shut Brentford out before Havertz secured the winner.

Mistakes do happen, as Saliba has highlighted in reference to his own performances as well as others, but this one did show why Mikel Arteta chose to sign David Raya in the summer.

Raya has been exceptional with the ball at his feet, and adds more composure than Ramsdale in his own box. Although Ramsdale’s chaotic nature was of benefit at times at hostile away grounds, Raya’s calmness and strong focus meant that Arsenal did not lose concentration in recent games like Ramsdale did at the end of the first half.

Nevertheless, Ramsdale did show a good mentality to recover from his mistake, but he does now know that he has likely played his last game for the club ahead of a probable summer exit.