Arsenal legend ‘puzzled’ by Arteta’s decision to drop Ramsdale

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Photo by Shutterstock.

Arsenal legend David Seaman has admitted he is “puzzled” by manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale as his No 1.

Arteta has dropped Ramsdale and installed new signing David Raya as his new No 1 at the Emirates, a decision which has been questioned by Seaman.

Seaman told the Daily Mail : “What he’s doing is what he spoke about. He’s making sure they all get game time. We’ll have to wait and see how that pans out. 

“Back in my day, I don’t know whether I would’ve liked that as much. I’m sure [Peter] Schmeichel wouldn’t have liked it either! 

“But it was different back then, that was 20 years ago. The game’s changed and Mikel’s trying something new.

“Will it work out? I don’t know if I’m honest. I’m still puzzled as to why Aaron was left on the bench.”

Ramsdale started the season as Arsenal’s No 1, but Arteta has since started rotating his goalkeepers throughout this season’s early games.

“It was a strange summer,” Seaman continued. “Aaron did brilliantly last season. He was voted the goalkeeper in the Player’s Team of the Season – that’s how good he was! 

“Then to come into this season and play five or six games… it must be quite a shock to him. But he’s got to handle that. And Mikel’s got to handle that and make sure he keeps Aaron happy. 

“It’s a situation that they’ve brought upon themselves because they brought another really experienced goalkeeper in.”