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Mikel Arteta plays down goalkeeping changes at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta plays down goalkeeping changes at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta played down his decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya in Arsenal's win over Everton.

Raya made his Premier League debut as the Gunners won 1-0 in Sunday's (17.09.23) Premier League fixture but Arteta questioned the furore around his decision to drop England goalkeeper Ramsdale.

The Arsenal boss said: "It's the same rationale that Fabio [Vieira] played here or Eddie [Nketiah] played instead of Gabriel Jesus.

"I haven't had a single question on why Gabriel Jesus hasn't started and he's won more trophies than anyone, including me, in that dressing room.

"I cannot have two players like this in one position and not play them. David has tremendous qualities like Aaron has, like Karl [Hein] has, but we have to use them you know."

Arteta plans to continue rotating Raya and Ramsdale and said there has been times during his spell as Arsenal coach when he wanted to make a switch between the sticks mid-match.

The Spanish manager said: "I didn't have the courage to do it. But I'm able to take a winger, or a striker, or a central defender or to drop to a five and hold that result.

"We drew those games and I was so unhappy.

"Why? Why not? [change the keeper]. We have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something when something is happening and you want to change momentum. Do it. Now my feeling is to get everybody engaged in the team. They have to play, regardless of the competition. We have to do it."

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