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14th November 2023
03:30pm GMT
Aaron Ramsdale has "lost his smile" according to his dad after his difficult start to the season.
Ramsdale has lost his place in the Arsenal starting XI to David Raya, who joined on loan from Brentford in the summer.
Mikel Arteta said that the two would be rotated regularly throughout the season however since Raya's arrival, the Spaniard has featured in the last eight Premier League matches and all four Champions League groups while Ramsdale has only featured in Carabao Cup ties.
The England international has been warned that his place in Gareth Southgate's squad could be at risk if he doesn't force his way back into he side and his father, Nick, has hit out at the way that Arteta has handled the situation.
"Aaron’s lost that smile, and it is difficult. It really is difficult to see him there and we all keep saying, ‘You need to keep smiling’," Nick told the Highbury Squad podcast.
"Aaron is going to be the cup goalkeeper, and David Raya is going to be the main man unless something happens, an injury or a sending-off. Aaron’s got to live with that and he is living with that even though he’s not been told it, by anybody.
"You’ve got to give the guy a chance, for God’s sake. Even though the way it’s been done, in my eyes, it’s been wrong and we can talk about that, but it’s the decision."
His father added that supporters must also get behind Ramsdale's intra-squad rival, even when mistakes are made.
He added: "Singing Aaron’s name when he [Raya] makes a mistake is not good for anybody. It makes me feel really happy but for the result of the club, it is not conducive to us winning the Premier League and Champions League. Whether Aaron is here or not here, or on the bench or not on the bench, we are all Gooners."
Ramsdale will almost certainly start Arsenal's first game after the international break against Brentford as Raya is ineligible to face his parent club.
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