Leon Osman says Aaron Ramsdale ‘won’t be surprised’ that Mikel Arteta benched him again during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Wolves.
Arsenal left it late to beat Brentford 1-0 last week, with Aaron Ramsdale starting his first game in the Premier League since September.
Given that David Raya couldn’t play against his former club, Mikel Arteta brought his previous number one back into the fold on Saturday.
But normal service resumed against Wolves yesterday, with David Raya returning to the Arsenal XI and helping his team to the three points.
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman thinks that Mikel Arteta has made ‘the statement’ with his goalkeepers, as he told Premier League Productions (02/12/23 at 2:05 pm).
It wasn’t so long ago that Arsenal’s man in the dugout was claiming that he wanted to change his goalkeeper during the game – it was dubbed ‘the worst idea in football’.
That’s yet to happen, with the message to the England international pretty clear now.
Will Aaron Ramsdale be Arsenal’s number one again?
“I think it was expected really,” said Osman. “Mikel Arteta has made the statement that David Raya is his number one, particularly what he does with his feet and his passing range. Getting the Arsenal attacks going.
“Ramsdale came in as a replacement last weekend and he did a good job. He will be pleased with his overall performance.
“But I don’t think he will be surprised to be on the bench again.”
Should Aaron Ramsdale leave in January?
The issue for the 25-year-old is that Euro 2024 is around the corner and he is at risk of losing his place.
Yes, Ramsdale isn’t the number one. That will be Jordan Pickford, regardless of his form for Everton.
But for a number of years now, Ramsdale has been part of the England set-up under Gareth Southgate, including going to the World Cup in Qatar.
However, if he continues warming the bench, then he risks the chance of losing that England spot for Euro 2024.
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