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Pundit finds Arteta’s decision to rotate keeper ‘bizarre’

By Ritayan Chatterjee on November 22, 2023

Former goalkeeper turned pundit David Seaman has found Mikel Arteta’s decision of rotating his goalkeepers ‘bizarre’.

Aaron Ramsdale was the Gunners’ number-one shot-stopper up until last term. He helped his side qualify for the Champions League this season by finishing second in the Premier League last campaign.

However, Arteta surprisingly decided to sign David Raya last summer and the Gunners boss has said that he wants to create competition for the goalkeeping department so he has secured his compatriot’s signature.

Ramsdale started the season, but Raya has been the Gunners number-one shot-stopper over the last few months and the former Sheffield United star has been playing in the domestic cup competitions.

However, Raya has joined Arsenal on loan from Brentford so he won’t be available for selection in the Gunners’ next Premier League game versus the Bees. So, Ramsdale is set to start for the North London club this weekend.

Now, speaking on BBC Radio 5, Seaman has said that if the Gunners boss opts to drop Ramsdale in next week’s Champions League game against RC Lens after his Saturday’s appearance then it will make clear that Raya is Arteta’s first-choice keeper.

Pundit says Ramsdale is too good to be second choice

The pundit further states that Ramsdale needs to play regularly if he were to keep hold of his place in the England national team for next year’s Euro and Seaman also says that the Englishman is too good to be a second-choice option.

The pundit further says that he has found it bizarre that Arteta has said he wants to rotate his goalkeepers as it generally doesn’t happen anywhere around the world.

Seaman said:

“If he’s not playing [for Arsenal], it’s going to affect his [England] chances. Going into next summer, where Aaron is really pushing to become England goalkeeper – he needs to be playing. If Aaron goes in at the weekend, then he’s left out for the next game, then we know who Mikel’s number one is. It’s not good for Aaron. He’s a top-class goalkeeper, there’s no doubt about that.

“It’s the game after this weekend, that’s where we will find a lot of answers. From what Mikel was saying when he brought Raya in, when he talked about rotating goalkeepers in games, which I still found a bit bizarre, we’ll have to wait and see after this game. Aaron’s too good to be a number two, that is for sure.”

Ramsdale is unlikely to stay at the Emirates Stadium if his situation remains the same over the coming months. So, it is going to be interesting to see whether the goalkeeper can turn his fortune around at the North London club or not.