Let me get straight to the point. I watched the London derby between Arsenal and Brentford, and I am now sure that Mikel Arteta is going to sell Aaron Ramsdale in the summer transfer window.
Aaron Ramsdale started in goal for Arsenal against Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.
David Raya is the first-choice goalkeeper for Arsenal, but the Spain international was ineligible to play against his parent club Brentford.
Raya is on loan at the Gunners from the Bees at the moment, but it is expected that the deal will be made permanent at the end of the season.
Aaron Ramsdale makes bad mistake for Arsenal vs Brentford
Against Brentford, Ramsdale made some good saves, including from Ivan Toney and Nathan Collins in the second half, but the 25-year-old was the reason why Brentford scored in first-half injury time.
It was a really bad mistake, one that no goalkeeper at the top level – or any level, for that matter – should make.
Ramsdale was given a simple back-pass. All the England international goalkeeper had to do was pass the ball to the nearest defender.
But the 25-year-old goalkeeper had other ideas. Ramsdale took one casual touch to control the backpass and then went to clear it with his second kick.
Yoane Wissa closed down Ramsdale and lunged out a leg to intercept in the six-yard box. The ball went in.
My View: Mikel Arteta will sell Aaron Ramsdale
It was a really bad mistake. There was no reason for Ramsdale to be so casual in the box. He should have been quicker. There was no danger whatsoever… until he invited it.
And, that, in my opinion, is the end of Ramsdale at Arsenal. I do not think that, as long as Raya is fit and available for the rest of the season, Ramsdale will not play again this campaign.
HITC revealed in February that Ramsdale is ready to leave Arsenal because he is fed up playing second fiddle to Raya. Chelsea and Newcastle United are keen on him.
Based on the performance on Saturday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is unlikely to stop the 25-year-old from leaving.
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