Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has been criticised by ESPN pundit Steve Nicol for making “more mistakes than we thought possible”.
The pundit, speaking on ESPN FC, was talking about the Gunners man in the context of the row that has erupted relating to Arsenal’s goalkeepers.
Aaron Ramsdale was the Gunners first-choice stopper for two seasons, but this changed earlier this season after Arsenal signed Raya.
Arteta opted to drop Ramsdale and make Raya his first-choice keeper, even though the England goalkeeper was doing well.
Ramsdale has not started a Premier League game since September 3 and is now effectively Raya’s back-up.
Earlier this week, Ramsdale’s father Nick told Highbury Squad that the Arsenal manager has relegated his son to second-choice without telling him that was the case.
‘Nothing’s changed’
Nicol, speaking on ESPN FC, believes Ramsdale likely wouldn’t have an issues if Raya was actually performing superbly.
“Any professional player, whether you’re on the field, in the goal wherever it is,” he began.
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“If you’re not playing and it’s pretty obvious that the guy in front of you is playing, but he’s playing well, you can’t say anything.
“You’ve just got to keep your head down, work hard and keep a smile on your face until you get an opportunity.
“But the fact that Raya has not been outstanding, the fact that he has made mistakes, more mistakes than we thought possible, but nothing’s changed.
“I’m sorry if Ramsdale walks in every morning with his chin at his feet, then you can’t have a problem with that if you’re anybody at Arsenal.”
For instance, against Newcastle, Raya fumbled a Joe Willock cross that led to Joelinton heading the ball towards Anthony Gordon to tap in.
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Arteta doesn’t seem to have handled this situation particularly well.
Ramsdale clearly doesn’t seem happy at present and his father’s interview revealed the discontent behind the scenes.
This has also added pressure on Raya. Every keeper will make the odd mistake, but if the 28-year-old makes one, it leads to calls of “well why isn’t Ramsdale playing instead”?
Arteta may have just been too ruthless in this instance (and, based on Ramsdale’s father’s comments, hasn’t been clear enough).
He had a good thing going with Ramsdale but he seems to have blown it.