Aaron Ramsdale Applauds David Raya’s Stunning Save on Arsenal Home Debut
Aaron Ramsdale proved he was a true team player with his reaction to David Raya’s sensational save against Tottenham.
Ramsdale Forced to Compete for Starting Spot
Ramsdale was a key part of Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge last season but the 25-year-old must now force his way back into Mikel Arteta’s plans. The England international recently lost his spot in the Arsenal XI to fellow goalkeeper Raya, with the Spaniard having now started the last three games.
Arsenal signed Raya this summer on a £3m season-long loan deal from Brentford and have the option to buy him for an extra £27m at the end of the campaign. Raya made his debut in the 1-0 win over Everton and followed that up with another clean sheet as Arsenal beat PSV 4-0 in the Champions League.
Raya Produces Stunning Save on Home Debut
He produced a stunning save in the first half against Spurs on his third appearance – his Premier League home debut for Arsenal – getting across his line to claw away an almost-certain goalbound effort from Brennan Johnson.
No-one seemed to enjoy the save more than Ramsdale, with Sky Sports cameras picking up his reaction from the bench. Ramsdale was seen applauding his fellow goalkeeper with his arms above his head before shouting out in joy.
Arteta Praises Ramsdale’s Attitude
Arsenal manager Arteta recently spoke openly about his decision to drop Ramsdale for Raya and said: ‘It’s very difficult with every player, and I suffer and care about every player who is not playing. He’s been very supportive, he’s been really good around the place and that’s what I expect from every single player, because when you are on the field there is someone else who is not. So it goes both ways and so far he’s been really really good.’
‘Comfortable? Maybe I look [it], but in your tummy when you have players sitting, or you have to announce the line-up, it’s one of the hardest things, because players feel happy and valued when they play. When they don’t it’s very difficult. You want them to feel loved and trusted, and the way to do that is to play them, but everybody understands it’s a team sport.’
‘It’s always 11 players starting, but we have seen as well how important the finishers are, and how important everybody is going to be in the season, and not look back on the team who have played the first six or seven games of the season. It is hard, but with all the players it’s the same. Aaron is an exceptional character and he’s got this charisma and aura around him and we all know that and I fully understand that.’
Conclusion
Aaron Ramsdale showed his true team spirit by applauding David Raya’s stunning save on his Premier League home debut for Arsenal against Tottenham. Despite being dropped from the starting XI, Ramsdale has remained supportive of his fellow goalkeeper and Mikel Arteta has praised him for his attitude.