Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reveals Aaron Ramsdale reaction following brutal drop

Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates Stadium on August 26, 2023 in London, England.
(Image credit: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed how Aaron Ramsdale has reacted to being dropped from the Gunners' first XI.

New signing David Raya was brought into the club before the season began and had to wait just four league games before being given his debut away to Everton. While most expected Ramsdale to be reinstated for the Champions League clash against PSV, however, Arteta opted against such a move, instead keeping his compatriot Raya between the sticks.

Now, the Basque boss has called his decision "one of the hardest things" but suggest that he "loves and trusts" Ramsdale.

David Raya of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on September 17, 2023 in Liverpool, England.

David Raya replaced Ramsdale in goal for Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)

"When you have players sitting and you have to announce the line-up, it is one of the hardest things.

"Players feel valued and happy when they play. And when they don't it is very difficult. You want them to feel loved and trusted and the way to do it is to play them. But everybody understands it is a team sport and it is always 11 players starting.

VIDEO: Why David Raya Is Better For Arsenal Than Aaron Ramsdale (And Why He's Not)

"[Ramsdale] has been very supportive and really good around the place and that is what I expect from every single player as when you are on the field, there is someone else who is not. So it goes both ways. So far he has been really, really good."

Arteta has suggested that he would be open to substituting a goalkeeper mid-game – and now, the Arsenal boss has reaffirmed his belief in "finishers" being integral to the way that he sees his squad.

Mikel Arteta gestures to his team during a match

Mikel Arteta has been effusive in his praise of Aaron Ramsdale's character (Image credit: Getty Images)

"We have seen how important as well the finishers are, and how important everybody is going to be in the season and not look back at the team that have played the first six or seven games of the season.

"It is very difficult with every player. And I suffer and I care about every player who is not playing but this is the competition and this is my job to make decisions in the best possible way for the team."

More Arsenal stories

Mikel Arteta has revealed the strange marriage metaphor he's used to motivate Kai Havertz. The Basque boss used another bizarre analogy recently to explain his tactics against Manchester City.

The Arsenal manager has had to defend Havertz already this season, notably after the 2-2 draw against Fulham.

Meanwhile, Brentford striker Ivan Toney has revealed he would be interested in a move to Arsenal in future.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.