Mikel Arteta was impressed with the performance of Aaron Ramsdale after the Arsenal goalkeeper returned to the side for the 1-0 win at Brentford.
Arsenal progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after a hard-fought win at Brentford, with Reiss Nelson’s eighth-minute goal enough to book the Gunners a clash with West Ham in the next round.
Ramsdale’s role has been one of the narratives of Arsenal’s early season, with the goalkeeper dropped from the side in recent weeks for summer signing David Raya.
The England international made a number of second-half saves to preserve his clean sheet and Arteta said he has been delighted with Ramsdale’s reaction to the competition for a first-team place.
“He’s been exceptional around the place with the situation,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference.
“Like everybody. I think Jakub (Kiwior) played really well, Tomiyasu too, Jorgi after what happened three days ago he had a really big game, Reiss did too, he hasn’t started many games and scored the goal. Same with Emile (Smith Rowe). And for sure Charles (Sagoe Jnr), it was a great day for him. It’s great to have an academy player with us and a lot of positives to take and as always a lot of things to improve as well.”
Ramsdale received a warm reaction from the travelling Arsenal fans and Arteta insists the goalkeeper remains a vital part of his plans.
“We love him more for sure. We have him every day. We know him, we know his character and we are really happy to have him.
“Every player is very important. We have a lot of injuries as well and players who contributed. But in football it’s about now, it’s about the moment. Today he had the opportunity to play and he played a really big game”
Asked whether Ramsdale has proven his quality at Brentford, Arteta added: “I don’t think I’m the one to answer the question about Aaron Ramsdale’s quality because I’m the one who signed him when everyone else was questioning that decision. So I don’t think I’m the one to answer that question.”
