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.
Arsenal situation is not the same as Brighton’s. Ramsdale was the set #1 after being bought quite recently for €28m and 25yrs old. He’s also part of the England squad.
Steele was a free transfer, broke through as a 2nd GK, 33yrs old and not near the England set up. Brighton’s model is based around young players, so sharing time with Verbruggen (a 21 yr old prospect from the Belgian league) is probably not unexpected or controversial in the slightest.
If having 2 goalkeepers is to Brighton’s detriment, at least it comes with a long term plan. Arsenal’s situation is unstable and comments from Ramsdale’s father make it a better story for the media. This isn’t just a “everyone wants to have a pop at Arsenal” moment.