25 November 2023 , 19:48
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Mikel Arteta saw his instructions snubbed as his Arsenal players put their faith in the returning Aaron Ramsdale at Brentford.
Ramsdale has lost his place as Arsenal's No.1 to new signing David Raya, but was back in the starting line-up for the 1-0 win over the Bees with the Spaniard ineligible to face his parent club having only joined the Gunners on loan with an option to buy.
And Ramsdale was immediately put under pressure, making a major error early in the game after being taunted by the Brentford fans. The 25-year-old was caught in possession by Yoane Wissa, who teed up Bryan Mbeumo.
Luckily for Ramsdale and Arsenal, Mbeumo's shot was cleared off the line by Declan Rice. Following the error, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta could be seen urging his players to go long from a goal kick.
However, they went short anyway and Arteta was left shaking his head in frustration. Speaking on commentary for TNT Sports, Lucy Ward suggested Ramsdale's error illustrated the added pressure he is under following the signing of Raya.
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"Well that shows how much pressure he's under because he's been thrown into this game because Raya can't play in it," Ward said. "It's the first time they haven't dealt with the press from Brentford and they're lucky, very lucky to not be 1-0 down.
"What Arteta has done with the goalkeepers has put unnecessary pressure on both of them, every single mistake is being looked at and it's interesting that he's chosen not to come out and say who his No.1 certainly is, even though he's been picking Raya at every opportunity."
Ramsdale's blushes were spared after he was dispossessed in the opening stages (Sean Ryan/IPS/REX/Shutterstock)Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand added: " He was the headline before the game but nerves seemed to kick in. The home fans were signing Raya's name which definitely would've unnerved him but he has Declan Rice to thank for saving him here with that goal line clearance.
"He's overthinking the situation, he's probably trying to make the pass too perfect which is something that can happen when you don’t play for a while - you want everything to go perfectly and you start to overthink."
Arsenal did go on to narrowly win the match thanks to a late goal from substitute Kai Havertz, with the victory sending them top of the league after title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool drew 1-1 at the Etihad in the early kick-off.