28 October 2023 , 07:45
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Aaron Ramsdale must be thinking "what he hell?" whilst he watches David Raya from the Arsenal bench, according to Mark Lawrenson.
The Gunners have seen a change in goal with Ramsdale, who has been the No.1 for the past two years, quickly dropped in favour of David Raya, the club's summer signing from Brentford. The Spaniard had the seal of approval from the goalkeeping coach at the Emirates and Mikel Arteta has wasted no time in swapping the two over.
Arsenal's boss claims the competition is a positive, despite almost every other top club opting for a clear, settled No.1. Raya has been inconsistent since coming in, enduring some difficult moments, while Ramsdale is forced to watch on as a substitute with the camera often on him.
Lawrenson told Paddy Power : "Goalkeepers at massive clubs, they make a mistake and it's like it's the end of the world, isn't it? What was Aaron Ramsdale doing wrong? absolutely nothing. Yes, he's a bit chippy and he backs himself but, from what we've seen, he's the better goalkeeper.
“I really, seriously, think that at a football club your No.1 goalkeeper is your No.1 goalkeeper. It's just accepted and if you're the No.2 you don't get too many games, you might get a run if the first choice gets injured, but I don't think it works when you try and say they're both the same level because they're not, are they?
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“The other keeper who's done well is now not playing and he's not really done anything wrong. He's been really, unlucky, Ramsdale. I love the way the cameras keep panning to him on the bench and he's sat there clapping and all that. He's thinking, 'What the hell!?'”
David Raya has usurped Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal's No.1 (Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Ramsdale's future has now been called into question with the Englishman almost guaranteed to start at the majority of other clubs. Arteta's judgement has also been criticised with the dynamic between Ramsdale and Raya appearing to create more problems than it's solved.
But the Arsenal boss is adamant the pair can coexist and cited rotation when he bought Raya in for the win at Everton several weeks ago. Since then, though, the former Brentford man has commanded his starting berth.
Arteta said recently: "I cannot have two players like this in one position and not play them. David has tremendous qualities like Aaron has, like Karl [Hein] has, but we have to use them you know."