21 October 2023 , 18:10
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Arsenal fans were heard chanting the name of Aaron Ramsdale during David Raya’s shaky performance away at Chelsea on Saturday.
Raya made two clangers for Mikel Arteta's side during the second half of the game, in which the Blues were already leading by a goal following Cole Palmer’s first-half penalty. Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross-come-shot took the goalkeeper off guard to loop high into the net, before Raya inadvertently passed straight to Mudryk minutes later – but the winger could not capitalise on the situation.
Raya, who joined the Gunners from Brentford this summer on a loan deal that is expected to become permanent next summer, has established himself as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper with Ramsdale recently having to watch on from the bench.
Gunners boss Arteta handed Raya his debut at Goodison Park against Everton last month at Ramsdale's expense, sparking questions over the future of the England international at the north London club. It is unusual for clubs to have two goalkeepers competing for a starting spot without an established hierarchy.
Raya has started in a string of matches in a row for the Gunners – including against Chelsea, Manchester City, and in the Champions League – while Ramsdale, who sat out Saturday’s game due to a personal issue, has only been selected recently in the EFL Cup win at Brentford.
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“He worried me in the first half against [Manchester] City and I have to say, he’s just struggling here,” commentator Gary Neville said on Sky Sports during the clash at Stamford Bridge. “He knows that second goal that’s gone in his net is his - his mistake management isn’t quite there yet. It’s a pressure job, goalkeeping at top clubs in the country. He’s finding that out.”
Neville continued, questioning Raya’s form: “He started well, but then that Champions League game, the first half against City and now this game. It’s getting hot for him. He’s got that look on his face, like, ‘Help’.
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Raya and Ramsdale are competing for Arsenal's No.1 shirt (Getty Images)“I say its the toughest position to play and certainly when you’re at the biggest clubs in the league, the most scrutiny - particularly if you’re a new goalkeeper. Mikel Arteta has created that, let’s be clear, the Raya-Ramsdale situation is unusual. He says it can work, I never believed it could. And I think we’re seeing in front of our eyes the challenges that exist because there is going to be pressure. Ramsdale hadn’t done a lot wrong and Raya has now started to make mistakes.”
Ramsdale, 25, quickly established himself as Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper after joining the club from Sheffield United in the summer of 2021 – having previously suffered successive relegations from the top flight with Bournemouth and the Blades.
He usurped Bernd Leno, who subsequently joined Fulham, as Arsenal ’s goalkeeper and has enjoyed a strong run of games and form – also establishing himself in England’s international setup, albeit as an understudy to Everton's Jordan Pickford.