MIKEL ARTETA is turning a deaf ear to David Raya’s critics and insists he is not going to chop and change his keepers every time they make a mistake.
Raya was left red-faced after being caught out of position by Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross-shot in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea.
He wasn’t helped by Mudryk revealing that he had been told by his goalkeeping coach that Raya, 28, was susceptible to being lobbed because he was always so far off his line.
And when an attempted pass out was then intercepted by Blues ace Cole Palmer, the visiting Arsenal supporters started to chant for Aaron Ramsdale.
Fans favourite Ramsdale, 25, missed Saturday’s game after his wife Georgina gave birth to their first child.
And though he is back in the squad for tomorrow’s Champions League game in Sevilla, he is unlikely to oust Spaniard Raya from the starting line-up.
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Gunners gaffer Arteta was giving nothing away when asked who will be in goal tomorrow evening.
He said: “You will see when we turn up.
“I haven’t seen any sign of David suffering with the spotlight — and I will not take any decisions based on a single action of a game.
“For sure it’s not realistic to change a player every time a mistake is made. Errors are part of football and mistakes happen from defenders, from strikers and from goalkeepers.
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“There’s always pressure when you play for a big club when you have to be at your best every game, especially when you have someone next to you who is pushing for your place.
“There is debate about every player and that is the beauty of the game. And the fact you have so many options is going to make those talks more frequent.”
Arteta insists there is no margin for error after losing their last group game in Lens.
He said: “The atmosphere is going to be very hot tonight and the emotional state of the team to go through difficult moments will be absolutely key.”
Europa League winners Sevilla are currently 13th in LaLiga and sacked coach Jose Luis Mendilibar this month.
But Gunners midfielder Jorginho warned: “Sevilla have done great things in Europe so it’s going to be a good test.”
Amid Arsenal’s goalkeeper conundrum, Ramsdale has reportedly become a transfer target for Chelsea.
The Blues want to capitalise on his uncertain situation at the Emirates.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
