Mikel Arteta will recall Aaron Ramsdale for Saturday’s game against Brentford (Picture: Arsenal FC)
Mikel Arteta confirmed Aaron Ramsdale will make his Premier League return against Brentford on Saturday, but stopped short of revealing if he would keep his place even were he to produce a man of the match performance.
Ramsdale is fighting for his Arsenal future having lost his place as the club’s undisputed No.1 goalkeeper following the summer signing of David Raya from Brentford.
Reports on Thursday claimed Arteta has already decided the club will take up the option to make the Spaniard’s move a permanent one in the summer at a cost of £27million.
Ramsdale will, however, get a chance to give a timely reminder of his qualities this weekend with Raya ineligible to play against his parent club.
Asked if he had detected an uplift in Ramsdale’s mood ahead of what will represent his first Premier League appearance since September 3, Arteta said: ‘No, I think every player is willing to play. They’re all excited to play.
‘They’re always expecting to play. Sometimes there’s disappointment the day before or a few hours before the match, but every player is willing to play.’
‘Hopefully he doesn’t need to stop two penalties and he does have an amazing game,’ Arteta added when asked if would retain his place against Lens in midweek should he save two penalties against Brentford.
Aaron Ramsdale will make his first Premier League appearance since September 3 for Arsenal against Brentford on Saturday (Picture: Getty)
Ramsdale opened up last month on the most difficult period of his career and initiated he was worried about losing his place in the England squad should his period of inactivity continue.
Asked how he could help the 24-year-old enhance his international prospects, Arteta said: ‘My job is to try to help every single player in the best possible way every single day to make them better, to give them the best possible chance to fulfil their potential in their career and get to the highest level they possibly can, with no exception in any position or player.’
Ramsdale and Arteta will face a stern test of their credentials against a Brentford side who have made another solid start to the season and are firmly established as a Premier League force.
‘With Thomas, with the coaching staff, with the club, for me they are one of the best-run clubs in the league,’ said Arteta. ‘I’ve followed them for many years and the things they do, the structure, the processes they have in place, the vision they have… it’s incredible what they’ve done with the resources they have.
‘Huge credit to them, not only to achieve and to get to this level, but the way they’ve maintained it with so many changes and the environment that this league demands as well.’
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