Fighters. That’s what Mikel Arteta has wanted in his Arsenal side. Players who are willing to fight for their place and battle to achieve what is expected of them.
Players which were signed by Arsenal in the summer have been designed to compete with and push the current crop of talent at the club. Players had got comfortable, and positions left unchallenged led to complacency.
Hector Bellerin in the right-back role was a player looking for purpose and had to be shipped. The midfield pairing of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey saw quality drop far too significantly when one was unavailable; the club brought in Sambi Lokonga to address this.
Kieran Tierney became so vital to the team that when he got injured, Xhaka had to be moved into the position because there were little-to-no other options. Nuno Tavares’ arrival solved the depth problem, and he looks exciting.
Emile Smith-Rowe could not be left as the sole natural number 10 option, especially with a 4-3-3 formation in the offing, and so Martin Odegaard was a must.
Aaron Ramsdale’s acquisition brought with it questions. Questions regarding outlay, questions regarding quality and questions regarding the impact on Bernd Leno.
The outcome has been a clear noticeable upgrade on the goalkeeping area in a short space of time. Distribution has improved, communication from the keeper has improved and the confidence of the defenders has improved.
Ramsdale came in and said he wanted to take the number one shirt.
"Competition is key and it’s also a great place to be. Bernd’s done a fantastic job over recent seasons and I’m here to push him all the way and take his shirt,” said Ramsdale.
He has seemingly achieved that and whilst that is a great achievement, Leno’s reaction and latest comments make it seem like the battle was half won for the England international prior to even signing.
“There was no clear reason why I was out, but it had nothing to do with my performance. He [Arteta] is the trainer, he decides. Of course, it’s difficult for me,
“London is very nice; Milan is not bad either & closer to my home Stuttgart. But I’m not seriously thinking about that yet. I feel comfortable at Arsenal & in London. Only if nothing changes in my situation by winter would I have to think about things.”
There was a clear reason, Ramsdale has come in and pushed for the spot and taken it. Not only that but he has consolidated his position. The blissful deflection away from complimenting his colleague strikes a great contrast to Ramsdale’s comments above.
The England international referencing the ‘fantastic job’ Leno had done at the club. This character is what Arteta has been after in his players and football.london understands that it is looking increasingly likely Leno will leave this winter – not surprising.
Leno may fetch the club a decent figure to reinvest in a replacement and reinforce other positions with additional players which meet Arteta’s standards.
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