Arteta shares Ramsdale snub is a very difficult decision

Mikel Arteta is very happy with his goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s reaction to being replaced in the starting squad and said that replacing him with David Raya was not an easy decision.

The North London side signed Raya from Brentford at the end of the summer transfer window on an initial campaign-long loan with an option to ink him permanently after the end of the season, despite Ramsdale inking a new long-term deal in May.

Raya was the 1^st choice in the 2 matches that Mikel Arteta’s team played after the international break – vs. Everton on Sunday and in the Champions League victory vs. PSV – keeping a clean sheet in both games.

However, Arsenal’s boss claimed he still thinks about who will play on Sunday in the derby vs. Tottenham.

“It is very difficult with every footballer. And It’s very tough for me to decide who is not playing, but this is the competition, and that’s what I’m paid to do – to make decisions in the best possible way for the club.”

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🗣️ “When you have to announce the line-up, it’s one of the hardest things. You know players feel valued and happy when they play and when they don’t it’s very difficult.”

Mikel Arteta says it’s tough leaving out players but football is a team sport at the end of the day. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/VjbOjUEsY8

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 22, 2023