Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praises Aaron Ramsdale’s courage after mistake

LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Aaron Ramsdale for his “courage” as Kai Havertz spared the goalkeeper’s blushes with a crucial late strike in their 2-1 English Premier League win against Brentford on March 9.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper has lost his starting spot to David Raya this season but, with the Brentford loanee ineligible to play against his parent club, Ramsdale made his first appearance since Jan 7.

Declan Rice put the Gunners ahead early in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, but an uneventful period for Ramsdale turned into a nightmare on the stroke of half-time.

He took far too long on the ball inside his six-yard box and allowed Yoane Wissa to pounce.

The away fans tried to get under Ramsdale’s skin, repeatedly serenading him with an unfavourable comparison to Raya and greeting his every touch with sarcastic cheers.

But he then produced two second-half saves to keep the game at 1-1, before Havertz’s late headed winner sent Arsenal top for the first time since Christmas Eve.

Ramsdale was all smiles after the final whistle as he was embraced by his teammates and Arteta, who described him as “a person with a huge personality and courage”.

The Arsenal boss praised him, especially for his response to his mistake.

“I’m not surprised because the whole team and the whole stadium was behind him and he has that respect and that admiration,” he said. “We really wanted to win for him in that moment and he really helped us to win.”

Brentford manager Thomas Frank also spoke to Ramsdale after the game ended.

“I said I think he’s a very good goalkeeper and I didn’t want him to be involved in that situation,” he said. “I don’t think that was a mistake, I think that was very good pressure from Wissa.”

The Gunners’ eighth successive league victory lifted them to the top of the standings on 64 points.

They will stay there if second-placed Liverpool (63) and third-placed Manchester City (62) draw their blockbuster clash at Anfield on March 10 – the result of which was not available at press time.

“It is not in my hands. It’s a joy to be part of this league and a joy to be part of something special that we are trying to achieve,” added Arteta, who said that he would be watching that “fantastic game of football”.

Focusing on his side, the 41-year-old was most pleased about their hunger to make amends after blowing an eight-point lead in the title race last season, a campaign in which they led for 248 days, before losing out to eventual champions City.

“We showed courage and we were rewarded,” Arteta added. “That is the beautiful thing about this stadium. They support the players (even after) mistakes.”

On March 12, Arsenal will try to turn around a 1-0 deficit against Porto in the Champions League last-16, second leg, while their next Premier League game is at City on March 31. REUTERS, AFP