Arsene Wenger hits out at Mikel Arteta's Arsenal tactic that "doesn't work"

29 October 2023 , 15:45

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Arsene Wenger hits out at Mikel Arteta's Arsenal tactic that "doesn't work"

Arsene Wenger believes Mikel Arteta's plan of having two first-choice goalkeepers in his Arsenal squad "doesn't work".

Arsenal boss Arteta recently caused a stir when he dropped Aaron Ramsdale in favour of summer signing David Raya, who has continued to retain his starting berth. Ramsdale has been Arteta's No.1 for two years but now finds himself on the bench following the arrival of the former Brentford man.

That has divided opinion, despite Arteta's explanation that he is keen to have competition in every position in his squad. Raya kept a clean sheet on his debut but has endured some difficult moments with Ramsdale's presence on the bench a constant talking point.

Wenger admits he always felt it was key to have a clear and obvious No.1 and attempting to juggle two quality keepers is flawed. He told Bein Sports : "That's my belief, I don't believe in rotation with goalkeepers. I don't believe in a lack of clarity of the hierarchy with goalkeepers. That doesn't work."

With Ramsdale in goal, Arsenal have finished fifth and second in the table, but that hasn't been enough for him to keep his spot. Raya's distribution is seen as a key asset with Wenger suggesting Arteta saw his goalkeeper as an area he could improve.

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The Frenchman made it clear, though, that keeping clean sheets and preventing goals is always the priority for a goalkeeper. "To stop balls going in the back of the net," he said. "You know, on the other hand, when you're in this position, you always - it happened to me as well many times - you have a good team but you want to improve the team.

David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale are battling to be Arsenal's No.1 (Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

"And then you look and think, 'what can I improve there?' You think maybe the distribution from the back. It happened to me the same with the centre-backs, you want a guy who has better distribution from the back but then you realise he is less good defensively and his first job is to defend."

Ramsdale's demotion has led to questions about his future with a number of clubs lining up to make him their No.1. But Wenger has urged him to play the long game: "Personally, I like Ramsdale. If I was in his position I would not give up. I believe he has the chance to come back into the team."

Arteta has continued to stick by his decision to bring Raya into the starting XI, backing his goalkeeper despite some notable mistakes, including one in the draw at Chelsea recently.

Samuel Meade