Arsenal Manager Arteta Contemplated In-Game Goalkeeper Shake-Up After Dropping Aaron Ramsdale

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, expressed his "regret" for not having followed his instincts to switch goalkeepers during previous games. This regret came to light on Sunday when he decided to drop Aaron Ramsdale and instead had David Raya start in goal for Arsenal's 1-0 victory against Everton on Super Sunday.

Arteta rationalized his decision to drop Ramsdale by stating that he approaches the goalkeeping position like any other, to the extent that he has even contemplated replacing the goalkeeper during matches in the past. He further explained that this rationalization is similar to his decisions regarding the game time of Fabio Vieira and Gabby Jesus, as he has not faced any inquiries about why Gabriel has not been starting. Arteta emphasized Gabriel's track record of winning more trophies than anyone else in the dressing room, including himself.

I want Aaron to exhibit the same reaction as Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Precisely the same. We play with a team of 11 players, not 10 plus one.

As a relatively young manager, I have been in this role for three and a half years. I have very few regrets, but one of them is that on two occasions during this timeframe, I felt the need to replace the goalkeeper after 60 and 85 minutes of those respective matches.

"I refrained from doing it as I lacked the bravery to take such a step. However, I possess the capability to substitute a winger or striker for a centre-back and adopt a defensive approach with five players at the back to secure a result. Unfortunately, those matches ended in draws, leaving me immensely dissatisfied.

"Somebody will eventually take on this role, and perhaps people will perceive it as unconventional. Nonetheless, why should we dismiss the possibility? Kindly enlighten me on the justification behind such skepticism. There exists another goalkeeper who possesses all the necessary attributes to make a difference; should we desire to alter the course of events, why not give it a shot?"

I regret that I have this feeling now: everyone should be involved and required to participate, regardless of the level of competition. This is the message I want to convey.

We adjust our approach to fit the abilities of our players and aim to play to their strengths. Certain games call for specific actions, while others require different approaches. In my view, it was crucial to perform well against Everton as it significantly benefited the team.

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Arteta: We played an incredible game

Arteta praised his team's performance in their long-awaited win against Liverpool, acknowledging that their success was not solely based on aesthetics but rather on the effort and execution they put into every action.

We performed exceptionally well, keeping our opponents at bay while generating numerous scoring opportunities. The initial goal, which was disallowed, deserved to be permitted. We completely controlled the game and are thrilled to leave with a victory and without conceding any goals.

We effectively maneuvered the game to the desired areas for extended periods, demonstrating great defensive stability. We conceded minimal chances and prevented them from creating any opportunities. This achievement reflects both our strategic intelligence and determination.

Dyche: We were miles off it on the ball

Everton manager Sean Dyche added: "We defended in numbers which you have to do against teams like this often - not always, but often.

We performed well in that aspect of the game, however, our performance with the ball was significantly below par. We made far too many careless turnovers. When we successfully disrupted their play and launched a counterattack, it was crucial for us to maintain possession. We needed to exhibit those moments of skill and finesse that we unfortunately lacked. When asked about the improvements needed with the ball, he emphasized the importance of demonstrating character. It was essential to possess a strong desire for the ball and effectively utilize it.

The implementation of winning it back and declaring 'job done' is insufficient. It is necessary to further engage as a cohesive team, a aspect which I found lacking. In the event of an erroneous initial pass, the opportunity to counterattack is lost, resulting in reverting back to defensive strategies.