Mikel Arteta Arsenal
Aaron Ramsdale has sent Bernd Leno a clear warning that he’s ready to become Mikel Arteta’s regular first-choice goalkeeper. Arteta opted with Ramsdale in goal for Arsenal ‘s first win of the Premier League season against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon and kept a clean sheet in the process. The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who was signed from Sheffield United for around £25million last month, was picked ahead of Leno, who conceded nine times in the Gunners’ opening three games in the top-flight. While the Germany international conceded, on average, three goals a game, there were not many of them he could have done anything about. Now, with the competition for the number one spot at the Emirates Stadium hotting up, Ramsdale has sent a clear warning to Leno and has insisted he is ready to become a consistent starter under Arteta.
Aaron Ramsdale said: “I don’t know what the manager is going to do. This might have just been a tactical tweak so it is my responsibility to force him to carry on picking me, which is something I have to do on a daily basis. Me and Bernd will be very competitive in a good, healthy way, and hopefully I can stay in the team. You have got to be ready to play as a goalkeeper. You don’t know when anything is going to happen. I’m ready every week. It could have been in a few months’ time but it has happened now. We have got to continue the competitiveness on the training ground and I’ve got to try and stay in the team and help them. There is a lot to carry on going and we will see where it takes us this season.”
Speaking after securing three points on Saturday, Arteta opened up on Ramsdale’s performance and also spoke about what Leno has achieved during his time with Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta said: “I think he [Ramsdale] was terrific. Not only what he did in the technical side but it’s what he transmits, it’s his energy. His chemistry with the backline, how he reacts, I think it was top. We have two fantastic goalkeepers. Never forget what Bernd has done for us and what a good goalkeeper he is. I had to make decisions today and I thought that Aaron was the right one to do. Like in any other position we had to decide and that is what was decided today.”
