The best managers aim to motivate their players to achieve their highest potential. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is no exception, putting in efforts to inspire Aaron Ramsdale. Despite Ramsdale’s performance as one of the best English goalkeepers last season, he has found himself benched for the majority of the current season without any apparent reason.
He was even linked to a move to Chelsea in the winter for that reason. But he has received some praise from his manager.
Mikel Arteta lavishes praise on Aaron Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale played a pivotal role last season when Arsenal came close to winning the Premier League. The English goalkeeper emerged as one of the most promising keepers in recent years. However, in the current season, he unexpectedly lost his No.1 spot without a clear reason.
Mikel Arteta signed Brentford keeper David Raya at the beginning of the season, and Raya has been the preferred choice in the majority of games. Consequently, Ramsdale has seen limited playing time, with his last appearance in the Premier League dating back to November.
🔴⚪️ Arteta on Ramsdale situation: "We try to make every decision to try to play better, to improve the team and that’s it".
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 9, 2024
"One of the biggest qualities of Aaron is his character and his charisma, his enthusiasm, his energy. He is contagious with that". pic.twitter.com/TrflRssAJG
However, Arteta justified his decision to bench Ramsdale due to the team’s overall betterment, saying, “We try to make every decision to try to play better, to improve the team and that’s it.” He also praised Ramsdale and mentioned some of his qualities, adding, “One of the biggest qualities of Aaron is his character and his charisma, his enthusiasm, his energy. He is contagious with that.”
Ramsdale obviously won’t be impressed with just words as he would prefer a place in the starting lineup instead. He will have that chance in the next match against Brentford as Raya cannot play against his parent club.
Aaron Ramsdale to receive England call up?
Aaron Ramsdale’s absence from the Arsenal lineup may adversely impact his chances of being called up to the England national team for the Euros. He has openly expressed his frustration about the potential impact of limited playing time on his national team selection, a spot that many fans believe he deserves. Despite this, Arteta is convinced that Ramsdale deserves a place in the England national team for the upcoming Euro tournament.
🗣️#Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta thinks that Gareth Southgate should include Aaron Ramsdale in the England squad for the Euros: “I don’t know how Gareth is thinking but if I were placed that situation, I would judge Aaron not for what he has done in one day but what he has done in… pic.twitter.com/dNu1V2bxH3
— Arsenal News Channel (@Arsenalnewschan) March 9, 2024
Despite not preferring Ramsdale in his lineup, he has asked Southgate to consider Ramsdale, stating, “I don’t know how Gareth Southgate is thinking, but if I put that situation into my eyes and my perspective and how I make a decision, I would judge Aaron not for what he has done in one day but what he has done in the last two or three seasons and the consistency he has shown, the quality he has shown. It would give me no reason to make another decision.”
Arsenal will host Brentford in the Premier League tonight, and Aaron Ramsdale will hope to put in a good performance.
