Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has come under scrutiny from Aaron Ramsdale's father over what he perceives as the goalkeeper's "wrong" treatment this season. Ramsdale, initially a key figure for the Gunners, was surprisingly dropped for their mid-September clash against Everton, with summer signing David Raya taking his place.
Despite Ramsdale's solid performances in the early part of the season, Arteta's decision to favor Raya has sparked criticism. The England international has been limited to just two appearances in the League Cup against Brentford and West Ham. Ramsdale's father, Nick, expressed frustration, stating, "Aaron is going to be the cup goalkeeper, and David Raya is going to be the main man unless something happens, an injury or a sending-off."
Nick Ramsdale emphasized the need to give his son a fair opportunity, stating, "You’ve got to give the guy a chance for God’s sake. Even though the way it’s been done, in my eyes, it’s been wrong, and we can talk about that, but it’s the decision." He also lamented the impact on Aaron's morale, noting, "Aaron’s lost that smile to when he was holding onto that ball at his moment in time."
In the upcoming game against Brentford, Aaron Ramsdale is set to reclaim his position in goal, as David Raya is ineligible to play against his parent club due to loan regulations. This presents a crucial opportunity for Ramsdale to showcase his abilities and, in turn, challenge Arteta's decision regarding the team's goalkeeping hierarchy.