Mikel Arteta may claim that his decision to prefer David Raya over Aaron Ramsdale is for the betterment of Arsenal. Even so, for some Gooners, who appreciate Ramsdale’s efforts to elevate them where they are, him being dropped from the Arsenal’s starting lineup has been unfair.
Ramsdale has only made four league appearances this season, while Raya has made eight.
Ramsdale has only played six games in all competitions, keeping two clean sheets and conceding eight goals, whereas Raya has played twelve games, keeping six clean sheets and conceding nine goals.
Though statistics may indicate why Raya is preferred, David Seaman believes Ramsdale is still a world-class goalie. The great Arsenal goalkeeper is concerned that the Englishman playing second fiddle to Raya may cost him the opportunity to become England’s first choice. “If he’s not playing [for Arsenal], it’s going to affect his [England] chances,” Seaman, who won three Premier League titles in his 13 years at Arsenal, told the BBC.
“Going into next summer, where Aaron is pushing to become England goalkeeper, he needs to be playing.”
That said, Seaman believes Ramsdale, whom he describes as “top-class,” could still be Arsenal’s first choice, and that after he plays against Brentford (a game Raya cannot play because he cannot face his parent club) this weekend, Arteta can prove his goalkeeping decision by who he starts at goal the game after the Brentford one.
“If Aaron goes in at the weekend, then he’s left out for the next game, then we know who Mikel’s number one is,” Seaman added.
“It’s not good for Aaron. He’s a top-class goalkeeper; there’s no doubt about that.”
Seaman goes on to suggest that, if Arteta doesn’t start rotating keepers soon, it may already be too late Ramsdale to fix his awkward situation ahead of next summer’s Euros.”I think January will be a bit too soon [for a move away],” he said.
“It’s the game after this weekend, that’s where we will find a lot of answers. From what Mikel was saying when he brought Raya in, when he talked about rotating goalkeepers in games, which I still found a bit bizarre, we’ll have to wait and see after this game.
“Aaron’s too good to be a number two, that is for sure.”
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
If he can play in important UCL matches, I think he should stay
I really don’t want Ramsdale to go he has been a vital part of Arsenal resurgence. But I think he is too good to seat on the benched for real when other keepers who are not as good as him are playing in Epl. It’s a tough one.. I think he should stay his time will come again
Hopefully he puts in a solid display on Saturday.
Well said Dave Seaman. I have never personally, understood tth lure of fishing as SEAMAN IS A DEVOTEEE.
JA would be well advised to seek out far more opinions from DS and his ilk and far fewer(as in NONE EVER AGAIN) from that doughnut brain Agbonlahor, so puzzlingly beloved of those who run this site.
I suggest we Gooners are keen to hear the thoughts of pundits and ex-players who clearly demonstrate a fine intellect, but we are BORED STIFF with the inane witterings of such as the Brummie “Gabster”!
Even so, JA would be well advised…..etc.
Ramsdale is good and there was no need for a new goalie but the gaffer thinks Raya is more suited to play Arteta ball, it’s the sad reality like it or not, if you ask me.
That’s the problem though isn’t it Gunsmoke? Lots think Ramsdale’s better than Raya but the jury is still out for me. He had a nervous patch(ManC game was it?) but since then has been ok
It’s not that Ramsdale isn’t a good goalie as he did – for a large part – do really well last season. However, if Arteta’trusts’ Raya then it’s going to be an uphill struggle to oust him. Ramsdale is too good to be a No2 and Arteta must realise that going forward so something’s bound to happen sooner or later.
Id like to slightly widen the debate about MA preferring RAYA above Ramsdale to MA s general transfer imports last summer.
IMO, TOP MARKS to MA for getting Rice AND the classy but unfortunate Timber. HAVERTZ, in my view is lIttle short of a disaster, a complete waste of £65 mill AND A HUGE WAGE CONTACT. I see RAYA as no improvemnt at all on Ramsdale and considering RAYA’s onfield lack of any personality and presence , two qualities that top keepers always need, he is, all things considered, the inferior of the two.
I also foresee RAMSDALE wanting out and possibly as soon as JAN, BUT ANYWAY BY NEXT SUMMER, so that is a bad move by MA.
The previous summer MA bought Viera, another failure at PREM LEVEL and a player who has made almost zero impact.
TAKEN OVERALL, THOSE BUYS ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A CURATES EGG, good in parts.
Though I remain a staunch MA supporter, I consider his transfer dealings – both in and not out, by not getting such as Soares and Elneny out, plus the still on our books Pepe -to be his weakest ability.
I admire his determination, non tolerance of slackers, including getting out those two idel shirkers Ozil and Auba, and that rotten egg Guendouzi. And his coaching, tactics generally and man management, esp in instilling such a for one for all spirit into our dressing room.
But, together with Edu, as they surely need to agree on who comes in and who goes out, his transfer dealings leave a lot to be desired. THAT is my honest take!
Ramsdale was a part of the youth policy that served us so well since we’ve gone down that path so it is a bit of a shock as we all believed that he had a long and bright future ahead of him at the Arsenal. It’s not over yet but Seaman is right and you’d expect Aaron to move if he’s the second choice throughout this season