Arsene Wenger names the one Mikel Arteta decision that ‘doesn’t work’ at Arsenal

Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has criticised Mikel Arteta’s decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale for David Raya in recent weeks. Ramsdale had established himself as the Gunners’ number one since September 2021 before Arteta opted to recruit Raya from Brentford during the most recent summer transfer window.

Eventually, the Spanish international came into the north Londoners’ starting line-up for last month’s 1-0 victory over Everton, playing every game since, other than a Carabao Cup clash against the Bees. Raya has enjoyed some impressive performances but has also been shaky at times, conceding Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross-come-shot during last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea.

Now, Wenger has had his say, urging Ramsdale to keep pushing in training in an attempt to regain his starting spot. Speaking on beIN SPORTS, the Frenchman said: “Personally I like Ramsdale.

“If I was in his position I would not give up. I believe he has the chance to come back into the team.”

When asked if he thinks Ramsdale is better than Raya, Wenger responded: “Better… better… I don’t know if he’s better. I just think Ramsdale has made decisive saves in the games last season.

“They were not happy maybe with his feet, his distribution.” But the former Gunners boss admitted that making saves is much more important than passing ability.

When quizzed if distribution or shot-stopping is more important, he replied: “To stop balls from going in the back of the net. You know, on the other hand, when you’re in this position, you always – it happened to me as well many times – you have a good team but you want to improve the team.

“And then you look and think, ‘what can I improve there?’ And you think maybe the distribution from the back. It happened to me the same with the centre-backs, you want a guy who has better distribution from the back but then you realise he is less good defensively and his first job is to defend.”

Arteta has consistently remained adamant that neither goalkeeper is a true ‘No.1’, something that Wenger doesn’t believe can work at the highest level. When asked if you need a designated No.1, Wenger responded: “Always.

“That’s my belief, I don’t believe in rotation with goalkeepers, I don’t believe in a lack of clarity of the hierarchy with goalkeepers. That doesn’t work.”