this post was submitted on 27 Nov 2023
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Good discussion today of the Ramsdale/Arteta dynamic at the moment
Is it a good discussion? It seems like these guys are desperate for there to be a rift between Arteta and Ramsdale when there is no evidence of it. Arteta spoke well on Ramsdale before and after the game.
I dunno, I thought the parallels between Ramsdale and other players in the past who Arteta had soured on were points well made by andrew and James. Just my opinion.
For everything Arteta said about there being a competition for the #1 spot, that competition hasn’t happened. I think they’re just fans of Ramsdale and see the decision as being really harsh on him and having potential to cause a rift. Rambo is being a total pro about it. Arteta is occasionally irate at the questions about the #1 spot, but it’s a rod he’s made for his own back by bringing in a new #1 but telling everyone “no we have two great goalies who will both play” which was just a nice sounding fib.
When Arteta sours on a player they don't play. Aubameyang and Ozil were dropped from the squad. So far there is nothing to suggest that Arteta doesn't like Ramsdale other than how he answered a post-game question, which in the context of his pre and post match presser comments isn't even that bad. It's obvious that he didn't want to again talk about the GK situation or comment on Ramsdale's errors. I understand people are upset, I love Ramsdale too, but there is nothing here that suggests a rift.
You’re making good points but I disagree with: “So far there is nothing to suggest that Arteta doesn't like Ramsdale other than how he answered a post-game question”
The mere fact that Ramsdale was replaced, despite just signing a contract and coming off a good season, is no small evidence of a souring. He’s told Ramsdale and the fans that there would be a competition for places, which has not happened in a meritocratic fashion. He did this because of course he wants both of them in the squad, but it is clear to me at least that there is a no. 1 at arsenal, good games from Rambo or bad games from Raya won’t impact who starts the next one.
I want nothing but the best from Arsenal and Raya, and if at the end of the season we look back and say that bringing Raya in made us stronger and more successful, then I will be very happy. But so far it seems to me only to have unsettled both players and failed to bring out the best in either.
2 elite keepers sounds nice on paper, but if it actually made teams better you’d see City, Chelsea, and all the other money clubs splashing the cash on backups and rotating them, and I can’t recall much evidence of that strategy working.
Ramsdale is not an elite keeper in any sense. Just a good one.
The opportunity to sign Raya came up and we took it, because in key areas he is better than Ramsdale, and he is willing to play the way Arteta wants.
Of course there is meritocratic competition. No one made this ridiculous assertion when Ramsdale replaced Leno as number 1 or when any other player is dropped for another.
People want Raya dropped for mistakes but it is not about 90 minutes, it's about what the players do on the training ground. If Ramsdale shows he's better he will play. No coach picks a worse player.
So yeah, you still haven't given me any real reason why there is a rift aside from the theory that Ramsdale is an elite keeper who's been dropped for no reason.
Elite is subjective. You have your ideas and I have mine and I have no reason to try and convince you. ✌️
Sure. To me elite just means a player has no weaknesses or his strengths are so good that the weaknesses don't matter. That's not Ramsdale, no matter how much Arsenal fans have convinced themselves. He's dropped for Raya because Raya is better. As much as we like Ramsdale that is the reality. Now he has to show that he can improve and compete.