Ramsdale's father criticizes Arteta for benching his son

If there was a dilemma, it is gone - David Raya is the new number one. Although Mikel Arteta has claimed on several occasions in the past that he needs two quality players in each position due to healthy competition, the Spanish expert's clear favorite in goal so far is on-loan Brentford goalkeeper. Since he stood on goal against Everton in the fifth round at the beginning of September, Raya has not left the goal line in Premier League games. He was also playing in each of the previous four matches of the group stage of the Champions League.

Wenger and Seaman: 'Ramsdale has done nothing wrong!'

In the same period, Aaron Ramsdale, who did not miss a single league game in the previous season, defended only in League Cup matches against Brentford and West Ham. The English international went from a safe starter to the "Cup goalkeeper" in a very short period of time, and it was very difficult for him. He spoke about it himself during the previous national team break, but his father Nick also confirmed it.

“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 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. 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” Nick Ramsdale told ‘The Highbury Squad’.

Desperate Ramsdale on battle with Raya: "I'm suffering and hurting, I need to get back"

What’s worse, just months before benching him, Arteta gave him a new contact, which means and permanent transfer will not happen anytime soon, considering Ramsdale’s transfer value. And then there is the EURO 2024, and to make things worse, manager Gareth Southgate insinuated that the player will need some playing time if he is to make it to the final squad.

“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 and think is important. 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. So he knows that, he's perfectly realistic about that” said England manager.