April 12th 2024.
When Mikel Arteta signed David Raya as the new goalkeeper for Arsenal, he made a statement that he didn't have a clear No. 1 in mind. This decision has not gone unnoticed, as Manchester United legend Andy Cole has accused Arteta of "mugging off" the previous goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale. At the start of the season, Ramsdale was the main goalkeeper for the club, but Raya quickly took his place after joining from Brentford.
Arteta had stated that he would rotate between the two goalkeepers throughout the season, and even mentioned the possibility of swapping them during a match. However, as the season progressed, it became evident that Raya had secured the top spot. Ramsdale has only made two appearances in the Premier League since Raya's debut in September, and it seems unlikely that he will play again this season.
Cole, who began his career with Arsenal, believes that Ramsdale has been treated unfairly and misled by Arteta. He has advised Ramsdale to consider his future at the end of the season. "When a player moves to a new club, they are expected to be the number one in their position," Cole stated in an interview with Betfred. He also expressed his disappointment with how Arteta has treated Ramsdale, calling it disrespectful and claiming that he has been "mugged off" by the manager.
Arteta, on the other hand, has stated that he will not discuss Ramsdale's future until the end of the season. He believes that the focus should be on improving the team and their performance for the rest of the season. When questioned about the decision to replace Bernd Leno with Ramsdale in the summer of 2021, Arteta expressed his satisfaction with the move and the personal connection he has with the new goalkeeper.
Despite the ongoing debate about the goalkeeping situation at Arsenal, one thing is clear - Ramsdale has been reduced to a bit-part role this season. And if he does decide to leave in the future, Cole believes that he would do well at Newcastle United. "He deserves to be treated with more respect," Cole stated, emphasizing the need for Arteta to value his players. As for now, the focus remains on improving and finishing the season strong.
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