The Frenchman has backed Aaron Ramsdale to win back his place (Pictures: Getty)
Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger has criticised Mikel Arteta’s decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale and does not believe having two competing goalkeepers can work.
The English shot-stopper has been benched for Arsenal’s last nine matches across the Premier League and Champions League, with summer signing David Raya – who was brought in for his superior distribution – preferred between the sticks.
But the Spaniard has had a number of nervy moments, both with his goalkeeping and passing, and was notably lobbed by Chelsea’s Mykhaylo Mudryk at Stamford Bridge last week.
As such, Wenger is confident Ramsdale will have an opportunity to force his way back into the starting XI though he does not agree with Arteta’s decision to move away from a designated number one goalkeeper.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS on Saturday, the legendary Frenchman said: ‘Personally I like Ramsdale. If I was in his position I would not give up. I believe he has the chance to come back into the team.’
Asked if he believes Ramsdale is better than Raya, Wenger replied: ‘Better… better… I don’t know if he’s better.
‘I just think Ramsdale has made decisive saves in the games last season.
A number of Arsenal fans would prefer to see Ramsdale in goal (Picture: Getty)
‘They were not happy maybe with his feet, his distribution.’
Asked whether distribution or shot-saving is more important, he continued: ‘To stop balls from going in the back of the net.
‘You know, on the other hand, when you’re in this position, you always – it happened to me as well many times – you have a good team but you want to improve the team.
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‘And then you look and think, “What can I improve there?” and you think maybe the distribution from the back.
‘It happened to me the same with the centre-backs, you want a guy who has better distribution from the back but then you realise he is less good defensively and his first job is to defend.’
On whether you need a designated number one, Wenger said: ‘Always. That’s my belief, I don’t believe in rotation with goalkeepers, I don’t believe in a lack of clarity of the hierarchy with goalkeepers. That doesn’t work.’
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The Frenchman feels an unnecessary problem has been created.