Ultimately, I support Arteta’s decision, but changing GKs for this PSV game really didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things imo.
If anything, its significance was more about Arsenal returning to the UCL after all those years out; which is partly why I think we demolished them rather than anything tactically.
Upon reflection, I think Rammers should’ve started; he’s been an important player for us. I can understand him not starting vs. Everton, but he should’ve started against PSV imo.
We would’ve still won the game.
I think if he doesn’t start vs. Spurs, this days are numbered here. It’s only 3 games, true; but you get dropped for a reason.
There’s also a very good reason Arteta was willing to shell out ~£40m for Raya.
Perhaps he’s realised that Arsenal’s evolution requires a GK more of Raya’s qualities than Rammers.
It was Xhaka’s decision to move on. I am sure Arteta & Edu would have loved for him to continue. His game has not diminished and had he stayed, he would/should have started.
I understand Partey’s departure to some extent given his injury history, him being a sellable asset and the allegations.
However, I firmly believe Arteta would have loved to keep Xhaka as a squad player. Xhaka is a durable, ever-present player, who would be an excellent player to call upon when we need to rest the first-choice players.
Xhaka however, doesn’t want to be a squad player and knew that he was coming to a stage where Arsenal will get a better player than him & reduce his game time. He is too proud to be a squad player. I am sure he could have received a better pay package from other clubs but went to Leverkusen to remain first choice player for them.
Just watched that interview with Sky Sports, I think he’s now playing second fiddle from now on.
A shame, but it means Arteta see’s Raya as better for our plans than Ramsdale. It could also be more than just technical ability, there might be off-field issues were unaware with.
You can’t win in these kind of situations. If Ramsdale had just sat there Carragher would have said that he was disturbing the dressing room or something.
