Mikel Arteta expressed ‘anger’ at what one Arsenal star did during Brentford win

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Arsenal secured a hard-fought victory at Brentford which saw them move to the top of the Premier League, but the result could have been very different.

The game was not without its drama, as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, starting in place of the ineligible David Raya, had some nervous moments on the ball.

Brentford pressed the goalkeeper, and on a few occasions, he lost the ball in some dangerous situations. Mikel Arteta tried to change this with a tactical switch-up, but it did not filter through, much to his disappointment.

Mikel Arteta’s anger at Aaron Ramsdale

In the first half of the game, Arsenal nearly conceded after Ramsdale gave the ball away when attempting to play a short pass.

Arteta wished to counter this by telling the England international to play it long, but the 25-year-old ignored the instruction, much to his disappointment.

Journalist Kaya Kaynak revealed what Arteta’s reaction on the touchline was, after Ramsdale played the ball short again after a huge error.

“At the next goal kick Arteta wags his finger furiously to tell Ramsdale not to do the short gk routine with Gabriel and go long instead. They play short and Arteta shakes his head in disappointment and anger,” he posted on X.

Ramsdale’s mixed Arsenal return

The Brentford game saw Ramsdale make his first Premier League start since early September, and it was a chance for him to fight for his place in the team.

There has been a lot of scrutiny over Raya and Ramsdale since the Spaniard became Arteta’s preferred option, and whilst Ramsdale kept a clean sheet, overall he did not impress enough to keep his place in the side.

Arsenal are set to face RC Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday, with qualification for the knockout rounds all but secured, and it is unclear who will start in goal.

Raya has started all four Champions League games this season so far, but Ramsdale arguably deserves to start in the competition, having helped Arsenal qualify for it for the first time in over six years last season.

Arsenal then face Wolves and Luton in the Premier League, with it likely that Raya returns to start, and Ramsdale’s prospects of more game time look thin.

Some have claimed that there is not a lot of difference in ability between the two goalkeepers, but it is becoming clear that Raya’s ability to play long balls, and remain composed on the ball, makes him a more preferable option to Ramsdale, and is the reason Arteta decided to sign him this summer.