Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists he makes ‘every decision with the best interests of the club’ as he speaks about his decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale for new signing David Raya
- Mikel Arteta insists he makes every decision in the best interests of his team
- The Arsenal boss was asked questions over his decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast ‘It all begins!’
Mikel Arteta has claimed he makes every decision with Arsenal’s best interests ahead of their Champions League group match against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
The Gunners boss also claimed that his decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale for new signing David Raya was not something we have seen before from the north London outfit.
It came during a press conference on Tuesday where the Spanish manager questioned his decision to use alternative goalkeepers in their 1-0 win against Everton at Goodison Park this weekend.
Leandro Trossard scored the only goal in the 69th minute of the match, giving Arteta’s side their fourth league win of the season, while Raya kept a clean sheet.
Questions have been raised over the decision to drop Ramsdale, with Piers Morgan insisting Arteta had ‘humiliated’ the England shot-stopper by dropping him, while others have suggested it was a tactical move to leave the 25-year-old ahead rest. Champions League opener of the week.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (pictured) admits he puts his team’s interests first in every decision
It comes as the Gunners boss raised questions over his decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale (right) for new signing David Raya (left)
Raya (pictured) made his Premier League debut for Arsenal against Everton last weekend and kept a clean sheet
But speaking about his decision to change goalkeepers, Arteta admitted that he always acts in the best interests of the team and the football club when making his selections.
Asked if he was surprised by the reaction to drop Ramsdale, Arteta said: ‘I respect opinions and I understand historically what has happened, but for me there is nothing else. We have been doing it (changing goalkeepers) for many years.
“When Bernd (Leno) was here, we bought Aaron (Ramsdale) and I don’t see any differences.
‘Its my job. I have to answer the questions as best as I can and honestly and as a manager it is my job to do what I feel. And what I think is always best for the team and the club. Not for Mikel, no.’
Mail Sport reported at the start of this month that Ramsdale was sweating over his position as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The Gunners signed the Spanish shot-stopper on a season-long loan from Brentford, with the transfer branded ‘pathetic’ by Ben Foster, while Shay Give said ‘Arsenal signed a problem.’
Meanwhile, Arteta also opened up about how he was feeling ahead of his side’s opening match in the Champions League.
The Gunners were in training on Tuesday for their Champions League match against PSV on Wednesday
Arteta claimed he and his team were ‘proud and excited to take part in the tournament’
It will be the first time the north London team has played in the tournament since the 2016/17 season which saw them reach the round of 16, where they were defeated 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich.
“Proud and excited,” he said ahead of the match against PSV.
“It’s been a long time for the club since we’ve been in competition and it’s obviously my first time as manager, so I’m really looking forward to it.
But Arteta kept his feet on the ground when asked about his side’s chances of qualifying for the knockout stages, saying: “That’s what we want to do, but this is football and tomorrow we’re going against a very play a good team.
‘They haven’t lost a game (this season) and they’ve won the majority of them, and they’re used to winning, just like any other team that plays in the Champions League. It will be a very tough test, I’m sure.
