Aaron Ramsdale’s dad has hit out at Mikel Arteta for the lack of communication which led to the goalkeeper being dropped for David Raya at the start of this season and claims his son is in a “difficult” place right now. The Gunners agreed a £30million deal to sign Ramsdale from Sheffield United in 2021 with the England star quickly endearing himself to Arsenal fans with his acrobatics in goal.
He played a key role in helping Arsenal in their title push last season with some match-winning saves throughout the season. Only David de Gea and Alisson finished with more clean sheets in the league, but Arteta seemingly wanted more from his No 1 and pushed the club to sign Raya from Brentford in the summer.
The Spanish goalkeeper was brought in on loan and originally started on the bench for the first few games. But Raya soon displaced Ramsdale as the club’s new No 1 after the September international break and the England shot-stopper’s only chances have come in the Carabao Cup.
Nick Ramsdale has now spoken out on his son’s mood behind the scenes given his situation at Arsenal and admits Aaron is struggling. He said on The Highbury Squad podcast: “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.” Ramsdale’s father went on to take aim at Arteta for a lack of clarity on the situation as a whole, claiming the Arsenal boss has not detailed how the situation can be reversed.
He said: “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.”
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He added: “You’ve got to give the guy 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’s place in the England squad is also on the line as Gareth Southgate has admitted the 25-year-old needs to be playing regular football to keep his spot.
“He’s still battling to be the No 1 at Arsenal, and his profile and the way he can use the ball with his feet, we like, we think that’s important,” Southgate said. “But there is a reality as a keeper. If we get to March and he’s six months without playing regularly, then I’m never going to promise things that I couldn’t guarantee delivering. He knows that, he’s perfectly realistic about that.”
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