Ramsdale also played his part with an impressive campaign last season with only David de Gea keeping more clean sheets in the Premier League. But Arteta surprised many in deciding to make a move for Brentford goalkeeper Raya, who joined on an initial season-long loan.
Ramsdale started the season in goal for the Gunners, but soon lost his place to Raya after the September international break and made his first Premier League start in nearly three months at the weekend against Brentford. The 25-year-old showed signs of nerves in the early stages and was nearly caught out as Yoane Wissa pinched the ball from his feet before Rice saved his blushes with a goalline block.
Neville noted at the time that Ramsdale's error was a clear result of Arteta's decision to sign Raya in the summer. Neville wrote on X: "This is what happens when you have 2 keepers eating each other! You put them both under pressure."
Mikel Arteta will have to decide whether to stick with Aaron Ramsdale this week
Arsenal icon Adams also couldn't understand why his former club opted to sign another No 1 calibre goalkeeper, calling it an unnecessary "weakness". Adams said on talkSPORT: “I’m not too sure why they’re doing that [changing goalkeepers].
“For me, Ramsdale had a fantastic season last year. I get the other competitions and in top flight football nowadays you need a squad of players and a couple of fantastic goalkeepers, but you’re always going to have a number one. Go back to Arsene’s days, at the end he was changing goalkeepers left, right and centre and for me, it’s always been a weakness
“I was watching them playing out from the back against Brentford and they nearly messed it up again." Arteta now has a decision to make on whether to give Ramsdale another chance in the Champions League this week against Lens with Arsenal on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages.
0 Comments