‘What I want’… Arteta issues Aaron Ramsdale verdict ahead of Arsenal v Brentford

Add as preferred source on Google

Mikel Arteta had now revealed what he expects to see from Aaron Ramsdale when he returns to the Arsenal starting XI to face Brentford this weekend.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will start for Mikel Arteta‘s Arsenal against Brentford on Saturday.

This may well mark the 25-year-old’s 89th and final appearance for the north London club. He lost his No.1 spot at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season, now Arsenal are almost certain that Ramsdale will leave the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Ramsdale has to play against the Bees this weekend, as they are David Raya’s parent club. By the terms of the Spanish shot-stopper’s loan agreement, he cannot play against Brentford. Whilst Arsenal do intend to sign Raya on a permanent basis, they have not yet officially done so. Therefore, Ramsdale is destined for at least one more run-out for the north London club. 

The England man is a fan-favourite at the Emirates Stadium, and will have the support of the crowd. At times this season, Arsenal fans have attacked Arteta’s decision to pick Raya over Ramsdale in the first place. 

Ultimately, though, Raya offers something different. Ramsdale may be more the spectacular shot-stopper, but the Brentford loanee is more comfortable playing a sweeper-keeper role, is quicker and more reliable with his distribution, and is more aggressive when it comes to claiming crosses into his penalty area.

Mikel Arteta reinforces faith in Aaron Ramsdale ahead of Brentford clash

The Arsenal defence have reached incredible heights with Raya between the sticks behind them this season. They are used to his presence now, and his style of play. It will be a shift for them, to have Ramsdale on the pitch, and it remains to be seen to what extent he will seek to emulate Raya’s style of play.

Arteta certainly believes that Ramsdale is capable of adapting to the tactical demands that he usually places upon Raya. Speaking in his press conference, as shown on the club’s official website, the Spanish coach said, “not only that he can adapt, but he has proven that he can adapt really well to what I want and what we want.”

If Arteta had absolute faith in Ramsdale to execute his instructions, though, then he may well not have sought to bring Raya to the club in the first place. Regardless, the former Sheffield United man has proven himself to be a top-class ‘keeper for Arsenal in the past, and there should not be a great deal of concern surrounding his brief return to the starting XI.