Mikel Arteta pleased to hear Arsenal fans chant Aaron Ramsdale’s name
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was pleased to hear fans chanting Aaron Ramsdale’s name in response to another jittery performance from David Raya. The Spain international started his fifth consecutive Premier League game following Arteta’s decision to axe Ramsdale who had spent the last two seasons as Arsenal’s undisputed No.1.
Raya has struggled to vindicate Arteta’s judgement thus far and was badly at fault for the goal which put Chelsea 2-0 ahead shortly after half-time when Mkyhailo Mudryk’s mishit cross caught the Spaniard off his line. Arsenal eventually battled back to earn a valuable point following a late comeback, but only after Raya had almost gifted Chelsea a third with a wayward pass.
Hearing the away fans chant for his rival, Ramsdale, who missed the game after the birth of his first child, will have done little for Raya’s confidence but Arteta insists he was pleased to hear support for the England international.
Arteta’s faith in Raya
He said: Great. I love him, I will sing every day for him. We sang a lot for him yesterday because he was a father which is the most beautiful thing to do. I’m so happy he has this charisma and personality and is someone who is very loved around the team.
Despite Arteta’s apparent faith in Raya, Gary Neville fears the Arsenal manager will be forced into making a change following the former Brentford man’s mistakes. He said: ‘His position Raya is not good enough he’s far too far forward that is not good from the Arsenal goalkeeper and that should not end up in the back of the net.
Raya’s mistakes
‘It’s meant as a cross for Raheem Sterling from Mudryk he doesn’t mean to chip him but the fact he can chip him isn’t right. He’s too far forward there’s no doubt about that. He’s probably a yard too far off his line. He’s beyond the near post it just isn’t right. Why he’s there you’ll have to ask him.’
Conclusion
Mikel Arteta may have been pleased to hear Arsenal fans chanting Aaron Ramsdale’s name, but it is clear that David Raya’s poor performance has left him with a difficult decision to make. Raya has struggled to justify Arteta’s decision to drop Ramsdale and his mistakes against Chelsea have left him vulnerable to being dropped. It remains to be seen whether Arteta will stick with Raya or make a change, but one thing is certain – he will have to make a decision soon.