Mikel Arteta could be set to make a surprise change to the Arsenal starting XI after the international break, with a regular starter potentially set to lose his place.
There was surprise when Gabriel Magalhaes, who had started 73 games in a row, was dropped to the bench for the opening three games of the season in a tactical decision, and another player may be about to suffer a similar fate.
Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail has now reported that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale may now drop to the bench, with Arteta strongly considering a change to give summer signing David Raya an extended run of starts.
Ramsdale has kept one clean sheet in four games this season, but has been the subject of criticism for a few of the goals Arsenal have conceded, including Marcus Rashford’s opener in the victory against Manchester United and Fulham’s shock first-minute goal in a draw at the Emirates.
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Should Ramsdale be dropped?
There was some surprise when Raya was signed this summer, given Ramsdale’s excellent performance levels over the last two seasons.
The England international was included in the PFA Team of the Year, and was described as “phenomenal” by Arsenal goalkeeping legend David Seaman last season.
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If Ramsdale does lose his place, the factor of having a keeper as good as Raya available may be a bigger factor than anything to do with Ramsdale’s form.
Raya has been cleared to play against his parent side Brentford in the Carabao Cup, and if he is still benched for the Premier League games until that point, he will expect to play in the cup games and Europe.
It remains to be seen which keeper Arteta will pick, with both currently away on international duty, but this is the first indication that Ramsdale’s starting spot is far from guaranteed right now.