“What did he do to you that you keep benching him for no reason, you’re trying to create enmity in this squad and it will cause a bigger problem”- Arsenal Legend Arsene Wenger attacks Mikel Arteta for his obstinate choice to bench his star man in yesterday’s game against Sheffield- Neither Odegard nor Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger has slammed Mikel Arteta’s decision to dismiss Aaron Ramsdale and believes that having two competing goalkeepers is impossible.
The English goalkeeper has been rested for Arsenal’s last nine Premier League and Champions League matches, with summer addition David Raya – who was brought in for his superior distribution – preferred between the posts.
However, the Spaniard has had a couple of nervous moments, both with his goalkeeping and passing, and was lobbed by Chelsea’s Mykhaylo Mudryk last week at Stamford Bridge.
As a result, Wenger believes Ramsdale will have a chance to reclaim his starting spot, however he disagrees with Arteta’s choice to forego having a declared number one goalkeeper.
‘Personally, I like Ramsdale,’ declared the renowned Frenchman on beIN SPORTS on Saturday. If I were in his shoes, I would not give up. I believe he has a chance to rejoin the team.’
When asked if Ramsdale is better than Raya, Wenger said, ‘Better… better…’ I’m not sure if he’s any better.
‘I really believe Ramsdale made game-changing saves last season.
They weren’t thrilled with his feet or distribution.’
Asked whether distribution or shot-saving is more crucial, he continued: ‘To stop balls from going in the back of the net.
‘On the other side, when you’re in this position, you always – and this has happened to me many times – have a good team, but you want to better the team.
Then you look around and think, “What can I improve there?” and you suspect the distribution from the back.
‘It happened to me with centre-backs as well; you want a player with better distribution from the back but then you realize he is less good defensively and his first task is to defend.’
Wenger stated that a designated number one is always necessary. That is my belief; I do not believe in goalie rotation, nor do I believe in a lack of clarity in the goalkeeper hierarchy. That isn’t going to work.’
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