Arteta is under fire for picking his team?! Ramsdale wasn't humiliated just because Raya got to play

If you can change midfielders or defenders, why wouldn't you be allowed to change goalkeepers? That is the question posed by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after he found himself under fire for his decision to play David Raya instead of Aaron Ramsdale in the game at Everton.

Spanish goalie Raya, who joined Arsenal on loan from Brentford, made his first start for the Gunners at Goodison Park. Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory in that game, with Leandro Trossard scoring a standout goal. Ahead of the game. outspoken TV journalist and Arsenal fan Piers Morgan questioned the decision to bench Ramsdale, calling it a "humiliation".

"I don't understand what Ramsdale has done to deserve being dropped. Havertz, yes.. but Ramsdale's been consistently superb for us. Why humiliate him?"

Arteta refused to confirm whether the change was indicative of his who his preferred goalkeeper would be going forward.

"I think I mentioned that we wanted to be the squad with two quality players in this position with different characteristics and we've got that now. To maximise that, we have to play games and we've got a lot of games coming up now, and it's the same as other players where we have rotated, and they will get a lot of game time in the next few games."

But it was more than just rotation and keeping players fresh for the upcoming Champions League game. It has much to do with Arteta's philosophy and the new-found confidence to act upon his instincts as a coach.

"I cannot have two players like this in one position and not play them. David has tremendous qualities like Aaron has, we have to use them. It is like this. I am a really young manager. I've only had three-and-a-half years in the job, and I have few regrets. One was that on two occasions, I felt, after 60 minutes and 85 minutes, in two games, to change the keeper in that moment. But I didn't do it. I didn't have the courage to do it. But I'm able to take off a winger, or a striker, or put on a central defender and hold that result. We drew those games, and I was so unhappy. Tell me: why not do it? Why not? We have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something when something is happening and you want to change momentum. Do it. It's a regret that I had."

The goalkeeping position has often been one of those where you'd only make chances in case there is an injury or suspension for your first-choice goalie. In recent years, coaches would kept their backup goalkeepers happy by fielding them in cup competitions. But Arteta clearly doesn't want to limit himself. Besides, the competition for places can only benefit the team. Ramsdale and Raya know they could be on the bench or on the pitch - and they have to be prepared for either option.