I think what Ramsdale excels at is pressure situations, big games, and pulling off spectacular saves.
But to judge consistent goalkeeping ability one must take the stats into account which clearly show Raya ahead of Ramms.
I still think this is a big gamble from Mikel when you consider squad dynamics and club culture - players need to know that they can trust the manager. Rammers is top quality, stands to improve further, is loved by his teammates and fans, and as far as we know he has always given 100% on and off the field. He’s also signed a big contract with Arsenal just before we signed Raya. Getting rid of Ozil, Auba, and Leno have all worked so far and we’re justifiable, but at what point do players look at one of these instances and conclude that it could happen to them too?
Isn’t that the point of becoming one of the very very best in the world?
Are there players at City, Barca or Bayern who think they are irreplaceable? Or that the manager will not bring in competition for them, if it will lead to the greater success of the group?
The very best players don’t get scared, they get better.
You say other players might look and wonder if it could happen to them. I say, maybe that’s exactly what Mikel wants, so that the players who don’t fancy a fight can opt out. And the players who are absolutely determined to win can see that Arsenal is a club where the manager is the same.
I can see your point and it’s completely true. The romantic in me wants my attachment to players to be rewarded and for them to go on to be club legends, but it seems like top football clubs today can’t function that way and still win big trophies.
Wenger would never have done this, and always picked his players’ futures ahead of blindly chasing success, but we wanted ruthlessness and can’t seem to digest what comes with it now that we have it.
Look at what happened with KT as well. By all accounts never a problem in training, or any ethics, but just dropped. I would say that due to his injury issues he could not be relied upon for the entire season, but that does not preclude you from bringing him on late on, when Zinchenko forgets defending. If the marginal improvement Raya brings over Ramsdale is the reason, then Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko shouldn’t even be allowed in training. Look at the injury issues Jesus had + Zinchenko’s lack of ability.
This whole thing seems very hypocritical and un-Arsenal.
I don’t subscribe to the ‘hypocrisy’ argument since there are different reasons which can be deeply tactical why a coach has strong preferences for some players which we can’t see as fans.
Regarding KT I’d back Arteta - he did not fit the manager’s vision for the role. Zinchenko is a defensive liability but going forward he’s quality, and also he is anyway likely behind Timber in the pecking order.
If anything the cases of KT and Zinchenko show that Mikel is consistent with his mentality of constantly looking to improve the squad at all costs. Also if our interest in Toney and Vlahovic are true, then it’s clear that Mikel also sees issues with Gabby J as our primary #9 and wants to upgrade the position.
I think what Ramsdale excels at is pressure situations, big games, and pulling off spectacular saves.
But to judge consistent goalkeeping ability one must take the stats into account which clearly show Raya ahead of Ramms.
I still think this is a big gamble from Mikel when you consider squad dynamics and club culture - players need to know that they can trust the manager. Rammers is top quality, stands to improve further, is loved by his teammates and fans, and as far as we know he has always given 100% on and off the field. He’s also signed a big contract with Arsenal just before we signed Raya. Getting rid of Ozil, Auba, and Leno have all worked so far and we’re justifiable, but at what point do players look at one of these instances and conclude that it could happen to them too?
Isn’t that the point of becoming one of the very very best in the world?
Are there players at City, Barca or Bayern who think they are irreplaceable? Or that the manager will not bring in competition for them, if it will lead to the greater success of the group?
The very best players don’t get scared, they get better.
You say other players might look and wonder if it could happen to them. I say, maybe that’s exactly what Mikel wants, so that the players who don’t fancy a fight can opt out. And the players who are absolutely determined to win can see that Arsenal is a club where the manager is the same.
I can see your point and it’s completely true. The romantic in me wants my attachment to players to be rewarded and for them to go on to be club legends, but it seems like top football clubs today can’t function that way and still win big trophies.
Wenger would never have done this, and always picked his players’ futures ahead of blindly chasing success, but we wanted ruthlessness and can’t seem to digest what comes with it now that we have it.
Look at what happened with KT as well. By all accounts never a problem in training, or any ethics, but just dropped. I would say that due to his injury issues he could not be relied upon for the entire season, but that does not preclude you from bringing him on late on, when Zinchenko forgets defending. If the marginal improvement Raya brings over Ramsdale is the reason, then Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko shouldn’t even be allowed in training. Look at the injury issues Jesus had + Zinchenko’s lack of ability.
This whole thing seems very hypocritical and un-Arsenal.
I don’t subscribe to the ‘hypocrisy’ argument since there are different reasons which can be deeply tactical why a coach has strong preferences for some players which we can’t see as fans.
Regarding KT I’d back Arteta - he did not fit the manager’s vision for the role. Zinchenko is a defensive liability but going forward he’s quality, and also he is anyway likely behind Timber in the pecking order.
If anything the cases of KT and Zinchenko show that Mikel is consistent with his mentality of constantly looking to improve the squad at all costs. Also if our interest in Toney and Vlahovic are true, then it’s clear that Mikel also sees issues with Gabby J as our primary #9 and wants to upgrade the position.
Gabby J was probably envisioned as an elite versatile forward option, rather than just a 9
Problem is we only every play him in the 9 role besides when saka is injured.