Mikel Arteta responds to criticism from Aaron Ramsdale's father
- David Raya has displaced Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal's starting goalkeeper this season
- Ramsdale's father criticised Arsenal and Mikel Arteta over handling of the situation
- Arteta discussed these comments ahead of trip to Brentford
By Sean Walsh
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been asked about the inflammatory comments made by the father of Aaron Ramsdale over the manager's handling of their goalkeeper situation.
Ramsdale has not played a Premier League game since the Gunners' 3-1 win at home to Manchester United at the start of September, while he is also yet to make his Champions League debut.
Summer signing David Raya, who joined on an initial loan from Brentford and is set to sign permanently, has been seemingly been promoted to the number one spot despite Arteta insisting he wants his goalkeepers to compete for the starting role.
Over the November international break, Ramsdale's father, Nick, told the Highbury Squad podcast he was unhappy with how Arsenal had treated his son.
"We did not have a clue [Ramsdale was going to be dropped]. I didn't have a clue, our family didn't have a clue, Aaron didn't have a clue that he was not going to carry on playing. All of a sudden, he's not been played," he said.
Ramsdale Sr added: "Aaron lost that smile. And it's difficult to see him there. We all keep saying: 'you need to keep smiling'. And at the moment in time, we haven't got that smile in him."
As Raya is ineligible to face his parent club, Ramsdale is in line to return to the Arsenal starting lineup for Saturday's trip to Brentford.
At his pre-match press conference, Arteta was quizzed about Ramsdale's father's outburst, but the Arsenal manager sought to defuse the situation.
"Aaron, and any player who is playing less than he wanted, there are many unfortunately in a dressing room of 24 players, their behaviour that we demand and we expect is to constantly challenge and make each other better, and always have the purpose and ability to overcome the situation and play and show with facts that you have to play, and you have to play more and how wrong I am and [think] 'how can I help the team when it is necessary?'," Arteta said.
"Aaron has had that attitude every day since I have been here."
Arteta then received a follow-up question concerning Ramsdale's lack of match sharpness and whether this was a concern heading to the Gtech Community Stadium.
"He played a few weeks ago, I don't expect [Ramsdale to be lacking sharpness]. Like I don't with any other player," Arteta added.
"The way they [Brentford] play, they attack with a lot of numbers in the box and we know the threat they are on set plays and with their direct plays.
"Threats can come from different ways, they’re a good side, extremely well coached, they are a big threat in the opponent’s box."
In an interview with the Guardian this week, Raya was reluctant to wade in on the situation, commenting: "If they want to debate, let them debate; I just give my best."
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