Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits Aaron Ramsdale is not in an ‘easy’ situation and has outlined how the goalkeeper can win his place back from David Raya in north London.
The 25-year-old started this term as Arsenal’s No1 between their posts at Emirates Stadium. But Arteta ditched Ramsdale after just four Premier League games to bring Raya into their XI after signing from Brentford. The on-loan stopper has since emerged as the new first choice.
Arteta preferred Raya in each of the Gunners’ four top-flight games between the September and October international breaks. The 28-year-old also started their two Champions League group stage ties so far. Ramsdale returned to their XI away to Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
Arteta admits Ramsdale’s situation at Arsenal is ‘not easy’
Falling to second choice for Arsenal has left Ramsdale fearing for his position in the England squad for Euro 2024. The £30m goalie does not want to rely on Gareth Southgate giving him preferential treatment to go to Germany. Instead, Ramsdale wants to give him a ‘headache’.
To show Southgate that he is a true threat for Jordan Pickford as England’s No1, Ramsdale is set on ousting Raya and becoming Arsenal’s No1 again. But Arteta believes that the only way he can regain the role is for Ramsdale to show he can offer Arsenal more than Raya is giving.
“It’s not easy for any player when he’s not playing as much as he would like to,” Arteta said during his press conference (20/10, 09:02) ahead of Arsenal visiting Chelsea this Saturday.
“But the only way to do it is to work harder, to show the passion that you have for the game, to contribute to the team in a different way and when you get the opportunity, do your best and try to help the team to win the game.”
Raya is yet to definitively show he is an upgrade on Ramsdale
It is reasonable for Ramsdale to feel hard done by with Arteta establishing Raya as Arsenal’s No1 this season. The four-cap England star was one of the pivotal reasons why the Gunners challenged for the Premier League title last term. He also seldom put a foot wrong this term.
Ramsdale has since had to watch on while Raya endured a shaky display against Manchester City. The Spaniard is also yet to definitively show that he is an upgrade on Ramsdale with his saves at Emirates Stadium. Ramsdale has produced spectacular stops since joining Arsenal.
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