Arsenal: The quote that shows why Aaron Ramsdale will never play for Mikel Arteta again

Arsenal: The quote that shows why Aaron Ramsdale will never play for Mikel Arteta again
By Mark White published 41 minutes ago
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave an interview following Aaron Ramsdale’s clean sheet against Brentford which said a lot about his future at the club

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Gtech Community Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Brentford, England.
(Image credit: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale may never play for Mikel Arteta ever again, with the Basque boss’s comments following Saturday’s win over Brentford very telling about the English international’s future.

Ramsdale had a tough match against the Bees, giving the ball away in one instance – relying on Declan Rice to spare his blushes with a goal-line clearance – before a wayward throw showed just how nervous Ramsdale was later on. Despite the jitters, Arsenal held on for a 1-0 win against Brentford, with the keeper picking up a clean sheet.

But Arteta’s reaction after the match made things very clear. When asked twice by Jules Breach about his goalkeeper, the Spaniard avoided answering.

Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal clears under pressure from Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Gtech Community Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Brentford, England.

Aaron Ramsdale had a tough evening in west London (Image credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“I’m so happy with the team, with the way we performed, the clean sheet. I’m so happy with the way everyone played,” he said, before Breach once again asked about Ramsdale specifically – to which Arteta replied, “I think the team was exceptional today.”

Arteta may have wanted to avoid all kinds of questions about the 25-year-old for a number of reasons. But it’s actually a quote from Ramsdale himself that proves that there’s no way for him under this manager.

In explaining to the Player’s Tribune about playing higher off his line, the former Bournemouth and Sheffield United stopper explained that he felt uncomfortable playing higher up the pitch – but eventually declares, “we were able to come to a middle ground where I wasn’t overthinking out there,” about his positioning.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at London Colney on November 23, 2023 in St Albans, England.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta favours the process (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
It’s very telling. Especially for a manager who prioritises the “process”.

Ramsdale is simply a victim of a coach who wants his players to follow his instructions to a tee rather than having to compromise his ideals. Throughout his tenure, he hasn’t been afraid to make big calls with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and others, who perhaps weren’t following his wishes quite how he wanted.

It’s the same with Ramsdale. Incoming keeper David Raya plays higher, is better with the ball at his feet and though he may be prone to the odd mistake – take the Mykhaylo Mudryk chip against Chelsea or the occasional flap against Manchester City – Raya is adhering to the process a little more than Ramsdale did.

David Raya of Arsenal looks on from the bench prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Gtech Community Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Brentford, England.

David Raya has taken the No.1 jersey (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal next face Brentford in March: the only fixture that Arteta would be forced to drop Raya from. After all the talk of wanting two No.1s, it seems ever more likely that Ramsdale leaves in January, at least on loan, in order to get himself into contention for England at Euro 2024.

Ramsdale is worth €32 million, according to Transfermarkt.

More Arsenal stories
Arsenal could face a tricky January transfer window, with the club reportedly ‘sailing close to the wind’ when it comes to Financial Fair Play.

Meanwhile, an important Gunners regular could be on his way out of the Emirates Stadium.

But a big-name European striker has been linked with a move to North London…

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Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn’t receive a winners’ medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson’s season at Barcelona to Robinho’s career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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Arsenal: The quote that shows why Aaron Ramsdale will never play for Mikel Arteta again
By Mark White published 41 minutes ago
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave an interview following Aaron Ramsdale’s clean sheet against Brentford which said a lot about his future at the club

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Gtech Community Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Brentford, England.
(Image credit: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale may never play for Mikel Arteta ever again, with the Basque boss’s comments following Saturday’s win over Brentford very telling about the English international’s future.

Ramsdale had a tough match against the Bees, giving the ball away in one instance – relying on Declan Rice to spare his blushes with a goal-line clearance – before a wayward throw showed just how nervous Ramsdale was later on. Despite the jitters, Arsenal held on for a 1-0 win against Brentford, with the keeper picking up a clean sheet.

But Arteta’s reaction after the match made things very clear. When asked twice by Jules Breach about his goalkeeper, the Spaniard avoided answering.

Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal clears under pressure from Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Gtech Community Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Brentford, England.

Aaron Ramsdale had a tough evening in west London (Image credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“I’m so happy with the team, with the way we performed, the clean sheet. I’m so happy with the way everyone played,” he said, before Breach once again asked about Ramsdale specifically – to which Arteta replied, “I think the team was exceptional today.”

Arteta may have wanted to avoid all kinds of questions about the 25-year-old for a number of reasons. But it’s actually a quote from Ramsdale himself that proves that there’s no way for him under this manager.

In explaining to the Player’s Tribune about playing higher off his line, the former Bournemouth and Sheffield United stopper explained that he felt uncomfortable playing higher up the pitch – but eventually declares, “we were able to come to a middle ground where I wasn’t overthinking out there,” about his positioning.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at London Colney on November 23, 2023 in St Albans, England.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta favours the process (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
It’s very telling. Especially for a manager who prioritises the “process”.

Ramsdale is simply a victim of a coach who wants his players to follow his instructions to a tee rather than having to compromise his ideals. Throughout his tenure, he hasn’t been afraid to make big calls with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and others, who perhaps weren’t following his wishes quite how he wanted.

It’s the same with Ramsdale. Incoming keeper David Raya plays higher, is better with the ball at his feet and though he may be prone to the odd mistake – take the Mykhaylo Mudryk chip against Chelsea or the occasional flap against Manchester City – Raya is adhering to the process a little more than Ramsdale did.

David Raya of Arsenal looks on from the bench prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Gtech Community Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Brentford, England.

David Raya has taken the No.1 jersey (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal next face Brentford in March: the only fixture that Arteta would be forced to drop Raya from. After all the talk of wanting two No.1s, it seems ever more likely that Ramsdale leaves in January, at least on loan, in order to get himself into contention for England at Euro 2024.

Ramsdale is worth €32 million, according to Transfermarkt.

More Arsenal stories
Arsenal could face a tricky January transfer window, with the club reportedly ‘sailing close to the wind’ when it comes to Financial Fair Play.

Meanwhile, an important Gunners regular could be on his way out of the Emirates Stadium.

But a big-name European striker has been linked with a move to North London…

Get the FourFourTwo Newsletter
Your Email Address
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands
Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn’t receive a winners’ medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson’s season at Barcelona to Robinho’s career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between F.C. Copenhagen and Manchester United at Parken Stadium on November 08, 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Manchester United report: Wonderkid defender to make huge move next summer, with contract being prepared: report

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage on November 27, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
‘Tonight finally turned me against VAR’: Everything Gary O’Neil said after Wolves’ defeat to Fulham

London Stadium of West Ham United as both sides stand for the national anthem for the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on May 07, 2023 in London, England.
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