When quizzed after yesterday's win on Merseyside, Arteta spoke about his decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale for compatriot David Raya. He cited an example from last year: "I have few regrets. It was on two occasions, that after 60 minutes & at 85 minutes in two games, I could have changed the keeper & I didn’t do it. I didn’t have the courage to do it. We drew those games & I was so unhappy."
The Spaniard would then claim: "Someone is going to do it [change goalkeeper mid-game] & it’ll be strange & you’ll ask why, but tell me why not? If you have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something, or if something is happening & you want to change the momentum, then do it."
It is clear that already the lines between starting and backup goalkeeper have been blurred by the revolutionary manager, who is not seeking to pit the two against one another, but instead work together for the betterment of the team.
As such, the on-loan ace helped to underpin their passing philosophy yesterday in a game where they likely knew they would dominate possession. Raya would enjoy a largely quiet afternoon to keep a clean sheet, but perhaps most impressively record a 94% pass accuracy, hitting seven of his nine attempted long balls, via Sofascore.
David-Raya-Aaron-Ramsdale-Arsenal
Clearly a decision that has worked well, the England international will now be well-rested and ready to star in their return to Champions League football this Wednesday. That's if he's selected, of course.
Given how Ramsdale performed last season, with his 6.86 Sofascore average rating and 2.5 saves per game largely aiding their push for the Premier League, it marks an almost impossible task to distinguish him from his new goalkeeping competitor.
Despite whether he is recognised as the number one or not, the former Bournemouth man's rise to prominence has been a startling one, and his contribution to this side cannot be understated. After all, Statman Dave would even claim: "Aaron Ramsdale has had an outstanding impact since joining Arsenal."
How much did Arsenal pay for Aaron Ramsdale?
Signing the shot-stopper from a club that had just been relegated, many laughed at the fee Edu paid to tempt the 25-year-old to trade Sheffield United for the Emirates.
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