David James believes that unless Mikel Arteta lifts the Premier League trophy this season, his decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale cannot be justified.
Ramsdale and David Raya vied for the starting spot earlier in the season but it was the on-loan Spaniard who ultimately won out, and speculation has persisted as to the English international’s future at the Emirates.
Arsenal currently sit third in the Premier League after their 6-0 victory against Sheffield United last night, and having come in as runners-up last season, former Liverpool keeper James thinks they will have to go one better to back up Arteta’s decision to switch stoppers.
He told Lord Ping: “The difficulty with Arteta’s decision making around Ramsdale and Raya was that there was no point where he directly articulated that it was Aaron Ramsdale that cost Arsenal the Premier League title last season. But that must have been Arteta’s rationale for wanting to replace Ramsdale with David Raya in his team.
“So, if the decision to bring in David Raya suggests that Arteta believed Ramsdale cost Arsenal last season, in order for the decision to be vindicated, Arsenal must go one better than last season and win the Premier League title this season.
“I think it’s as simple as that, and, unfortunately for Arsenal, I can’t see that happening.
“David Raya has the numbers to support Arteta’s decision as he has nine clean sheets this season, which is the most in the Premier League, but I can think of five games where he hasn’t had to make a save and three or four where he has had one save to make and not really had much to do. That isn’t to say that he hasn’t performed well, I just don’t think that he has changed Arsenal’s fortunes dramatically.“
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