Mikel Arteta suggests that he will look to confuse Aaron Ramsdale with set-piece plans as former Arsenal goalkeeper returns to Emirates Stadium with Southampton
- Mikel Arteta claimed he would like to play mind games with Aaron Ramsdale
- Ramsdale will play his former club Arsenal against Southampton on Saturday
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Mikel Arteta has joked that he will play mind games with Aaron Ramsdale in an attempt to confuse him about Arsenal’s plans when he returns to the Emirates with Southampton today.
The goalkeeper left the Gunners last summer on a four-year deal worth up to £25 million, having spent most of his time on the bench after losing his starting spot to David Raya at the start of last season.
The 26-year-old spent three years at the north London club and was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the 2022-2023 season after helping Arsenal to the cusp of the title.
Today’s match between Arsenal and Southampton will see Ramsdale take on the old side for the first time since his departure. His knowledge of guru Nicolas Jover’s tactics, which saw the Gunners score 22 league goals via this route last season – the most in the entire league – is a potential advantage.
Asked if their set plans would have to be adjusted on Saturday because of Ramsdale, Arteta replied: ‘Probably. Maybe we tell him we’re going to change something, but then do the same thing so he thinks we’re going to change it!
Mikel Arteta suggested he would try to confuse his former goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at set pieces
Ramsdale faces Arsenal for the first time since his move to Southampton
“So there might be some mind games coming. I’m sure they (Southampton) will have discussed that. It’s not the first time we’ve played against a player who was in our camp, it’s normal for this to happen.
“We need to have the ability to understand our things and keep doing them.”
Ramsdale built a strong bond with the Arsenal fans and is well remembered. Arteta is looking forward to the reunion.
“I called him straight away after I got the news (that he was going to Southampton),” he said.
‘He was really happy. He is a player we liked a lot, very charismatic and he really left his fingerprints here at the club as he was. It will be very good to see him.’
Saints manager Russell Martin is under pressure after managing just one point in the league so far amid suggestions he could be sacked.
Arteta understands the pressure the 38-year-old is feeling after facing such questions himself earlier in his Arsenal tenure, but respects how Martin has stuck to his vision.
He said: ‘I like that kind of behaviour. Ultimately, you have to do what you feel. He has proven his philosophy to be very successful with what he did with Swansea and Southampton.
Ramsdale has knowledge of the tactics of Arsenal guru Nicolas Jover
Arteta respects how Russell Martin has stuck to his vision despite Southampton’s problems
‘Last year I think they were unbeaten for 25 games.
‘I think I understand what he wants to do and why he does it. It is very difficult to coach him and perform at the level he has done.
“You need a lot of courage because when he won a lot of games no one was talking about it and if you lose it’s too much. You need a lot of courage for that (playing style) – and I think that’s great.’
Both Ben White and Jurrien Timber are in contention to play after recent injuries. Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has yet to play this season due to a knee injury, is also in the starting line-up.
