Ramsdale back to play against Brentford this weekend
Arteta has made it very clear this season that David Raya is his number one choice in goal but as we get set to face Brentford this weekend, we will get to see Aaron Ramsdale back between the sticks for the first time in what feels like forever. Raya is still on loan from Brentford so is not eligible to play against his parent club this season, meaning Ramsdale will start the game between the sticks against the Bees.
Although Raya has looked great this season and even though it took a little bit longer than us Arsenal fans would have wanted, he does look like a great player for the way Arteta wants to play his squad For me, I’m still a tad bitter over the way Ramsdale was treated at the start of the season and I know it’s football and things don’t always go player’s ways, I still think Arteta could have handled the situation with the two keepers better than he did.
Ramsdale had a great season last season and was one of the main reasons we did as well as we did and also managed to get a spot in The Champions League for this season. When news broke that we were going to loan Raya from Brentford, I didn’t expect him to automatically take Ramsdale’s spot and with all the “the keeper’s spot isn’t full decided” stuff we saw at the start of the season, I don’t think Arteta made it easy for himself or the English keeper.
Keeper is the hardest position when you’re not the number one pick, there can only be one keeper and although you work in a keeping team, alongside the other keepers, having a solid number one that knows they’re number one is a massive deal. When two keepers are in some what limbo, it’s not good for the team and Arteta being his wishy washy self, I think made things worse than they had to be.
Ramsdale will start on the weekend and although it’s a chance for him to get some minutes, I think we are past the point where if he proved himself he would get another shot, which leads me to wonder if for his own sake, Ramsdale should be looking to go elsewhere in the summer. We are clearly going to make Raya’s move a permanent one, and if I was Ramsdale I’d be looking at the future and I’d have to be selfish about what I want and where I want to go.
Not only at club level but at national level too, Ramsdale will want to be playing for England, and while he’s sitting and warming the bench, Southgate is very unlikely to pick him. If he spends another season on the bench it could be really bad for his career.
It will be good to see him back between the sticks on the weekend but, as I said, if I were him I’d want to start looking around for a better options then what he’s been given this season, and I don’t think anyone could blame him for doing so, he’s far too good to warm the bench.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
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