Ramsdale was literally the best keeper in the league last season - Arsenal don’t look as good so far this season and Raya has already had a bunch of dodgy moments and major mistakes
It’s also just terrible management - if Raya has a dodgy period (as is normal), the pressure on him from the media will become insane
Similarly, if Ramsdale is thrown back in for some reason, he’ll feel totally different out there, and way more likely to make an error or two
Ramsdale will probably now also be the subject of a lengthy transfer saga, as Arteta tries to stop him leaving for a rival - so yet more media attention and dressing room instability
There was just no need to create any of this drama
Ramsdale was literally the best keeper in the league last season
wrong, and that award doesn’t actually make it right.
Arsenal don’t look as good so far this season
attack, maybe not. defense is literally better due in part to Raya’s ability on the ball. Our fast counter attacks are better with Raya since he catches the ball further up and has better long distribution. Raya backspinning punt to Martinelli is on, all day.
if Raya has a dodgy period (as is normal), the pressure on him from the media will become insane
because of fans like you constantly banging on about Ramsdale probably, media knows they can farm clicks off you guys specifically
Similarly, if Ramsdale is thrown back in for some reason, he’ll feel totally different out there, and way more likely to make an error or two
So now you are preemptively making excuses for Ramsdale? Meanwhile Raya is getting raked over the coals for not having won every single fan immediately and putting up 9/10 performances.
How softly are we supposed to handle Ramsdale, who is hopping on podcasts talking about how easy he thought the league was gonna be, how distracted he gets during matches, how he asked Arteta to compromise on how high up he plays, and whose dad is banging on about how sad Aaron is?
They’re both obviously good keepers - but I feel like this situation could bring out the worst in both of them
Unless Raya is a mentality monster - he must be going out there more nervous than normal - and the media and many fans are just waiting to pounce on him making mistakes
Similarly, Ramsdale must be torturing himself, and is also likely to be more nervous and less fluid than normal when given a chance
If Ramsdale doesn’t get his place back, then he’s gonna want to move - and that’s also going to cause a media-fest and more instability in the dressing room and squad
Maybe it’s all worth it in your eyes because you think he is a problem - but many people don’t believe he was a problem that needed addressing and that all this drama was unnecessary
Maybe then it’s time for Ramsdale to put in 110% now that he’s on the back foot. He is still young enough and his ceiling is very high imo.
But you cannot say he hasn’t regressed, and to be honest all of this podcast talk isn’t doing him any favors, even if that’s unfair to hold over him. This team isn’t missing huge pieces anymore. We are searching for that extra percentage here and there to take us over the edge. Raya over Ramsdale represents that. Mikel wanted him first
Ramsdale was literally the best keeper in the league last season - Arsenal don’t look as good so far this season and Raya has already had a bunch of dodgy moments and major mistakes
It’s also just terrible management - if Raya has a dodgy period (as is normal), the pressure on him from the media will become insane
Similarly, if Ramsdale is thrown back in for some reason, he’ll feel totally different out there, and way more likely to make an error or two
Ramsdale will probably now also be the subject of a lengthy transfer saga, as Arteta tries to stop him leaving for a rival - so yet more media attention and dressing room instability
There was just no need to create any of this drama
wrong, and that award doesn’t actually make it right.
attack, maybe not. defense is literally better due in part to Raya’s ability on the ball. Our fast counter attacks are better with Raya since he catches the ball further up and has better long distribution. Raya backspinning punt to Martinelli is on, all day.
because of fans like you constantly banging on about Ramsdale probably, media knows they can farm clicks off you guys specifically
So now you are preemptively making excuses for Ramsdale? Meanwhile Raya is getting raked over the coals for not having won every single fan immediately and putting up 9/10 performances.
How softly are we supposed to handle Ramsdale, who is hopping on podcasts talking about how easy he thought the league was gonna be, how distracted he gets during matches, how he asked Arteta to compromise on how high up he plays, and whose dad is banging on about how sad Aaron is?
They’re both obviously good keepers - but I feel like this situation could bring out the worst in both of them
Unless Raya is a mentality monster - he must be going out there more nervous than normal - and the media and many fans are just waiting to pounce on him making mistakes
Similarly, Ramsdale must be torturing himself, and is also likely to be more nervous and less fluid than normal when given a chance
If Ramsdale doesn’t get his place back, then he’s gonna want to move - and that’s also going to cause a media-fest and more instability in the dressing room and squad
Maybe it’s all worth it in your eyes because you think he is a problem - but many people don’t believe he was a problem that needed addressing and that all this drama was unnecessary
If Raya comes through it all then credit to him
Maybe then it’s time for Ramsdale to put in 110% now that he’s on the back foot. He is still young enough and his ceiling is very high imo.
But you cannot say he hasn’t regressed, and to be honest all of this podcast talk isn’t doing him any favors, even if that’s unfair to hold over him. This team isn’t missing huge pieces anymore. We are searching for that extra percentage here and there to take us over the edge. Raya over Ramsdale represents that. Mikel wanted him first
I mean that’s obviously true - but squad and man management is a tricky and subtle business
That’s why good man managers are so rare - and these kinds of situations can cause all kinds of problems, that’s just the way it is
And the media is there, literally just waiting for Raya to have a nightmare game - sucks, but you have to be aware of that kind a shit