Pundit says Arteta risks getting “stoned” if he replaces this player for Spurs match

Gabby Agbonlahor says Mikel Arteta is asking for trouble if he replaces the impressive Aaron Ramsdale in goal with Bernd Leno for Arsenal’s match against Tottenham tomorrow.

Bild’s Christian Falk had tweeted earlier in the month that Mikel Arteta was only resting Leno for their games against Norwich and Burnley and will bring him back to the lineup for the North London derby against Spurs.

Ramsdale has been impressive since he has been in the Arsenal starting XI and the club’s fans will want him to remain in goal for the rest of the season if he keeps getting clean sheets.

Leno will also fancy his chance of proving his doubters wrong if he is given the nod in goal against Spurs.

However, Agbonlahor says if Arteta truly had that as a plan, he would have changed his mind by now and will know he is looking for trouble to put the underperforming Leno back in goal for such an important game.

When asked if he thought Arteta will bring Leno back, Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “No chance.

“100 per cent he’ll change his mind. He’s asking to be stoned by Arsenal fans if he does that.

“Arsenal against Burnley were outstanding and Ramsdale was outstanding.

“You can’t just keep changing goalkeepers it’s absolute nonsense. The only reason you should change a keeper is for cup games or injuries.

“You bring in Leno tomorrow for the game against AFC Wimbledon but you don’t keep changing your keeper for league games.

“If you ask keepers they would be fuming. They want consistency in goal, you get that from playing regularly not getting changed every three or four games.

“There’s no chance he drops Ramsdale. Leno will play in the cup and Ramsdale will be back for the north London derby.

“Ramsdale’s the number one. Until he goes through a bad run of form he’s the number one.”

Tags Aaron Ramsdale Gabby Agbonlahor

6 Comments

  1. The back 4 finally playing with confidence, GK commanding the box, and midfielders are able to get forward a bit more.

    Why risk all that by starting Leno? Sorry but Ramsdale has earned a chance against better competition than what he’s faced lately based on his performances.

    Leno has done nothing to earn this start, and hasn’t shown the command, confidence, decision making, and distribution we have seen from Ramsdale.

    For me, easiest choice of the 11 is Ramsdale at GK.

    Ramsdale
    Tomi. White. Gabriel. Tierney
    Partey. Lokogna
    Odegaard
    Saka. Auba. Pepe

    Balanced squad, pivot can help control midfield, and Gabriel, Tomi, and Ramsdale been brilliant in the back.

    Lineup picks itself for me really, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it Arteta

    1. I would start Lacazette instead of Aubameyang against Spuds…… his work rate and link up play would prove very useful. Perhaps Smith over Saka too, as he seems short in confidence of late.
      Anyways, here’s to hoping for a convincing win. COYG!.

  2. I would still have Leno as my number 1
    Having watched Ramsdale on quite a few occasions over the last few years ,fans like a new shiny player until the mistakes arrive then they cast aside ,let’s not forget that Leno as only regressed under Arteta which isn’t something new when you look at other players since he came in IE Auba ,Martinelli and a few others .
    Leno was outstanding for us when first signed ,no way is Ramsadle ahead of him ,but I’ll go with whatever Arteta decides has this is his party till next season .
    I just hope when Ramsdal drops a clanger fans won’t once again bring up Martinez which seems the norm .

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