Aaron Ramsdale has been replaced as Arsenal’s No.1 goalkeeper this term (Picture: Getty)
Aaron Ramsdale’s camp were reportedly left ‘surprised’ that the Englishman was not picked to start Arsenal’s Champions League clash against PSV last month but the player has ‘no animosity’ with fellow goalkeeper David Raya.
Ramsdale was a key part of Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge last term as they eventually missed out to eventual champions Manchester City, but this season he has lost his place as the No.1 ‘keeper to summer signing Raya.
The Gunners decided to bring in Raya on loan from Brentford and have the option to make it a permanent deal at the end of the season, with Mikel Arteta keen to provide competition for Ramsdale after selling Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest.
Ramsdale started Arsenal’s first four Premier League games this season but Arteta has since replaced him with Raya, a decision that has raised some question marks after the Spaniard’s error in the defeat to RC Lens and performance against City.
According to The Athletic, Ramsdale’s camp were surprised that the ‘keeper was not handed a start for Arsenal’s opening Champions League group game against PSV after Arteta brought in Raya for his debut against Everton three days before.
The confusion is thought to have come from Arteta’s public comments about both goalkeepers needing game-time but it is believed that there is ‘no animosity’ between the two stars despite there now being a ‘clear first choice’.
In fact, the performance levels of both Ramsdale and Raya in training is said to have surged and the former Bournemouth ‘keeper remains ‘incredibly popular’ in the Arsenal camp after receiving support from senior players in the squad.
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‘It’s very difficult with every player, and I suffer and care about every player who is not playing,’ Arteta said about Ramsdale last month. ‘But this is the competition and it is my job to make decisions in the best possible way for the team.
‘He’s been very supportive, he’s been really good around the place and that’s what I expect from every single player, because when you are on the field there is someone else who is not. So it goes both ways and so far he’s been really really good.
‘Comfortable? Maybe I look [it], but in your tummy when you have players sitting, or you have to announce the line-up, it’s one of the hardest things, because players feel happy and valued when they play.
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‘When they don’t it’s very difficult. You want them to feel loved and trusted, and the way to do that is to play them, but everybody understands it’s a team sport.
‘It’s always 11 players starting, but we have seen as well how important the finishers are, and how important everybody is going to be in the season, and not look back on the team who have played the first six or seven games of the season.
‘It is hard, but with all the players it’s the same. Aaron is an exceptional character and he’s got this charisma and aura around him and we all know that and I fully understand that.’
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