Mikel Arteta has responded to Aaron Ramsdale after the Arsenal goalkeeper said he was "hurting"
Mikel Arteta believes Aaron Ramsdale must "work harder" to get back into the side after losing his place as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper to David Raya.
Ramsdale admitted earlier this week that he is "suffering and hurting" since Raya has emerged as Mikel Arteta's new no.1 after the September international break. The ex-Brentford shot-stopper has started the last four Premier League matches and their opening two Champions League games.
In fact, Ramsdale has played in just one of the Gunners' last seven outings, a 1-0 Carabao Cup victory over Brentford last month. Despite his lack of game time, Ramsdale was named in the England squad to face Australia and Italy, but fears he could lose his place ahead of Euro 2024 because he is not playing.
Arsenal boss Arteta has now offered Ramsdale some encouragement and has told him what he must to do to earn his place back in the side. Speaking ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Saturday, Arteta said: "It's not easy for any player who's not playing as much as they'd like. The only way to do it is work harder and when you get the opportunity do your best."
Ramsdale, who joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021, replaced Bernd Leno as their first-choice stopper and has since helped the Gunners to fifth and second-placed finishes in the Premier League. But, after a shaky start to the campaign, Ramsdale's future is now in doubt with Raya Arsenal's current no.1.
After England's 3-1 win over Italy on Tuesday, Ramsdale spoke about what it has been like being out of the Arsenal XI and admitted he is also worried about his Three Lions place next summer. "I need to get back into my club team to keep getting picked (for England) and keep giving the manager a headache because if I'm not, then that's an easier decision for him," Ramsdale said.
"It is the first time I have found myself in this situation. The manager here (Southgate) is brilliant, he trusts the players he's worked with before. You'll see Kalvin (Phillips) and Harry (Maguire) haven't played the most amount of minutes but when they step up for England and are given the opportunity, they perform.So if if that's the case for myself and I do get shown that trust to play another game if I haven't played for my club, then I will have to repay him.
"But, of course, I want to get back into my club team. I want to get into my club team and be able to give the manager a headache rather than just have Jordan as the number one and me fall by the wayside.
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"First and foremost, I've got to give the manager a decision and be available to be picked and that is by getting back into my club team. If that's not the case, then we'll see in three or four weeks time."
"There are days when I come in and I'm down because of the situation and he picks me up and, for whatever reason, there might be a day where he's down and even though I'm suffering and hurting for not playing, I have to stand up and be able to push him and make sure he's ready if he if he's picked to play."
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