Ramsdale still in the dark over Arsenal role as thoughts on Raya emerge
Aaron Ramsdale ’s Dad has demanded answers from Mikel Arteta after causing his son to “lose his smile”.
The former Sheffield United and Bournemouth goalkeeper had been Arsenal ’s number one stopper over the past couple of seasons. However, he has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium following the arrival of David Raya.
The Spaniard has immediately been installed as Arteta’s starting goalkeeper in both the Premier League and Champions League, while Ramsdale has had to make do with minutes in the Carabao Cup. While Arsenal star Ramsdale has insisted that he will make the most out of the situation, his Dad, Nick, has admitted it has affected his son's happiness at the club.
Speaking on The Highbury Squad, he said: “Aaron’s lost that smile to when he was holding onto that ball at this moment in time. And it is difficult. It really is difficult to see him there and we all keep saying you need to keep smiling.”
While neither Aaron nor Nick blame Raya for the situation at the Emirates Stadium, he still has plenty of questions as to how it has played out. Arteta has so far refused to confirm why he prefers the on-loan Brentford man.
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Ramsdale senior added: “David Raya is a great goalkeeper and it is not his fault. He’s just come in as a goalkeeper. David Raya, Aaron says, he is a lovely guy and he works hard with him and Aaron’s trying to help him as much as he can to settle in with the squad.
Aaron Ramsdale has been usurped in the Arsenal pecking order by David Raya (Getty Images)Should David Raya or Aaron Ramsdale be Arsenal's number one? Share your thoughts in the comments below
“It’s possibly the way it's been done. Not knowing the reason why, and this is me because we don’t know why. Again, Aaron is working as hard as he can. He’s trying to do his best for the squad. He’s upbeat and he’ll do everything for Arsenal to try and win the league.”
Nick has further called on Arteta to give his son answers as to why he has lost his spot in north London with the battle to be the club’s No.1 stopper continuing to rumble on. He added: “Aaron is going to be the cup goalkeeper, and David Raya is going to be the main man unless something happens, an injury or a sending-off. Aaron’s got to live with that and he is living with that even though he’s not been told it. By anybody.
“You’ve got to give the guy [Ramsdale] a chance for God’s sake. Even though the way it’s been done, in my eyes, it's been wrong and we can talk about that but it’s the decision.
“Really and truly we’ve got to get behind David Raya. He’s part of the family now. Whether it's only until May-June of next year. It won’t be, it’ll be longer in my eyes, but that’s by the by.”
Ramsdale, 25, has made 85 appearances for Arsenal since joining from Sheffield United. He has just under three years left on his deal having only signed a new long-term contract back in May.
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