I watched David Raya save Ollie Watkins’ diving header with a mix of adulation and despair. It’s the same feeling I experienced a week earlier when the Spaniard made a big stop vs Wolves.
No, don’t get me wrong: I loathe it when Arsenal concede, especially if the Gunners drop points as a result. The reason I had that sinking feeling in my stomach was because I thought of Aaron Ramsdale. Two clean sheets coupled with some brilliant saves from his vis-a-vis sealed the out-of-favor’s number one’s fate at N5.
I have to admit I’m old-fashioned when it comes to goalkeepers. I don’t really understand, on a deep tactical level, the craze around shot-stoppers who essentially become defenders in possession. I know that’s exactly how City play with Ederson, or Liverpool with Allison. I know that’s why United paid huge money for Onana — and continue to tolerate his errors on the line. I know that’s why Arteta bought Raya and persevered with him during an unconvincing first half of last season.
For me, the clue is still in the name — goalkeeper. Shot-stopper. The number one thing you have to be good at is preventing goals from going in. I know that’s a simplistic view of the game and that many people will probably jump in the comments’ section to chastise my persona and my amateurish understanding of modern-day tactics. I’m not trying to come across as the smartest guy in the room — or pick a fight, for that matter.
What you have to understand is that I grew up with Jens Lehmann in goal. None of the beautiful passing game existed back then. Goalkeepers saved shots and punched away crosses. Jens was also a handful — and an earful. He could make a massive blunder and then save from a surefire goal. His confidence that he’s the best was unshakeable, his way of commanding his box and his defense admirable. Jens was not just a shot-stopper — he was a character the modern game lacks. But that’s a subject for another piece — I’m already dangerously close to going off topic here.
Jens Lehmann is one of the reasons I loved Aaron Ramsdale so much — and will continue to do so when he’s representing Southampton. Aaron is a bit of a nut himself, but in a good way. He’s charismatic, you can relate to him. You know how your favourite player is not always the best player in the team, or even in his position? I’ll stop short of saying Ramsdale was my favourite when Arteta was rebuilding the squad, but he was definitely top-3. Up there with Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Sure, Ramsdale could sometimes be jittery. He’s let some in at the near post. His distribution is not on the same level as Raya’s. However he could also pull off some wonderful saves, give his defenders an earful, command his area on crosses, and soak up the energy from fans in the stadium. He was one of us. When I look at Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney or Emile Smith Rowe (crap, he’s left too), I see an Arsenal man. I don’t think I’ll ever relate to Raya quite as much, regardless of how good he is in possession or how many clean sheets he keeps. To me he’ll likely remain in the “gun-for-hire” bracket. I’ll probably shed no tears when he eventually leaves.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Ramsdale is a different story though. His departure comes at a time when it looks like our Hale End contingent is largely failing. Saka carries the cross with dignity, but Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah are gone, Reiss Nelson is on the brink of leaving too. It’s still early doors for Nwaneri or Lewis-Kelly — and we had our share of false prophets down the years. Just look at Charlie Patino.
Such is the reality of competing at the top, for better or for worse. I would have bitten your hand off if two years ago you told me Arsenal will be consistently challenging City for the title. So what if some popular players have to be sacrificed along the way? Seems like a relatively small price to pay, isn’t it?
I don’t know where you are on this, but I do know this price is taking a heavy toll on me. I will salute Arsenal and celebrate like the next fan if we win the league this season. But I will do so with a sad smile on my face. Like in Saving Private Ryan, I’ll be all too aware of the true cost of such a success.
Russian Gooner. No, it’s not always cold in my home country 🙂
A staunch Arsenal supporter since 2004. Started writing about the Gunners in 2013.
Currently in London to get a degree in journalism.
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