So one goalkeeper has played 7 Premier League games this season and the other has played 5 so it’s clear that the manager wants to and does utilise two number 1 goalkeepers, that’s despite neither of them being able to keep a single clean sheet this season which shows it’s obviously hampering the team.
You think I’m talking about Ramsdale, Raya and Arteta right? Nope.
Steele, Verbruggen and De Zerbi at Brighton.
The media have had their pants in a twist all season over the situation with Ramsdale and Raya, despite there not being a situation at all, Raya is clearly number one and Ramsdale, well, isn’t. Every club (almost every club) has a number one and a back up and Arsenal are no different. So why has this been made such a big deal out of when Brighton quite literally have and use two number 1 goalkeepers to their detriment and no one has said a word?
If it’s because Arsenal are a far bigger club so it’s more of a story then that shows they don’t really give a shit about the situation, they just want to have a pop at Arsenal as usual.
I think it’s made a big deal out of it because:
(1) It’s Arsenal, big 6 club just naturally get more attention.
(2) Ramsdale appeared to have really settled at Arsenal, and appeared to have a solid (although not necessarily great) season.
(3) They paid quite a bit for Ramsdale, it was seen by many as a mistake at the time. This fee is largely because he’s homegrown and is capable of starting. When you’re signing a home-grown player, you usually pay big with the intention of starting them most games (e.g. Declan Rice), or you go cheap/free rotation option (e.g. Young at Everton). They spent serious money on Ramsdale, which normally indicates he’s going to start unless you sell him.
(4) He just signed a new contract. Ramsdale is stuck there unless Arsenal are happy with the money offered. There’s no chance he signed that thinking he isn’t 1st team goalie, he surely can’t be too happy.
(5) Raya - stats wise - did better than Ramsdale last season. However, when it comes to ‘the eye test’, to the average fan you wouldn’t consider him a huge improvement on Ramsdale. Given Ramsdale proved he can play at this level, replacing him is a big risk to squad dynamics, especially the improvement Raya offers isn’t night and day.
(6) Cara made the point that clubs that rotate goalies in the league, usually do so in situations where neither goalie is particularly great. If you had a properly good goalie, he’d start most games, and the 2nd goalie would either accept his place or quickly leave to get playing time.