Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a selection dilemma on his hands when it comes to who is going to start between the sticks when Norwich visit on Saturday.
The Premier League circus rolls back into town following a two-week international break during which Arteta will have been dwelling the decision.
The Gunners laid out a cool £30m for Aaron Ramsdale's services during the summer, while Bernd Leno has been under fire from multiple angles, being criticised for his presence while failining to keep a clean sheet so far.
Who should be the Gunners first-choice 'keeper?
Chris Davison - Fan Brand Content Editor/Writer
This for me is a tough one because I actually really rate Bernd Leno. I think he’s a solid shot-stopper and has kept his team in the game on many occasions.
However, as someone who is pleased with the addition of Aaron Ramsdale and excited to see how he develops at Arsenal, I'm quite torn here.
With Leno you have a very good shot-stopper as I mentioned, but then with Ramsdale you have that in addition to composure on the ball. That is the biggest difference here.
Ramsdale looked very reassuring against West Brom in the Carabao Cup a couple of weeks ago, he made some positive saves and picked out some nice passes from his box. That was encouraging to see, especially after witnessing Leno struggle in this department.
After three defeats in three and nine goals conceded, why not change things up a little bit and hand Ramsdale the opportunity?
Due to the experience he carries already, I don’t see it being a problem for Ramsdale. He is someone Mikel Arteta can count on at any time because he has already been there and done it.
I still believe Bernd will play more games this season and do a good job, but if Ramsdale starts on Saturday then I won’t have any complaints.
Tom Canton - Arsenal Fan Brand Writer/Presenter
Bernd Leno: 3 games, 9 goals conceded. Aaron Ramsdale: 1 game, 0 goals conceded.
Yes, the context of the opponents is being immaturely avoided for the sake of a punchy start, but it remains factual.
Moving deeper into the goals Leno has seen go past his outstretched arms, the Manchester City breakthrough came through a Gundogan header. Much was made of Calum Chambers’ inability to win the header, however, Leno’s weak-wristed attempt at stopping the shot is not a new occurrence in his game. Positionally, Jack Grealish messed with Leno and a simple cutback left Gabriel Jesus with an open net.
The German international has often succumbed to close-ranged strikes and when factoring in his limited distribution, a change in goalkeeper for Norwich City makes even more sense.
In just one pass against West Brom (we all know which one), Ramsdale made Arsenal fans take note of the reasoning behind the significant investment in him. Combine his introduction with the return of Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes to the first team, plus Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Mikel Arteta might just have the tools to succeed in his stubborn approach to build-up play.
Leno’s future remains uncertain, Ramsdale’s is very much with the Arsenal. Why not start it now?
Bailey Keogh - Arsenal Fan Brand Writer/Presenter
It is a no-brainer to start Aaron Ramsdale against Norwich instead of Bernd Leno. We signed him for £30m and it is time to make our money’s worth by playing him in the Premier League. There is no better way to start your Premier League for Arsenal than a game at home against Norwich.
This bodes the opportunity to ease him in rather than throwing him in the deep end. We need to be proactive with our goalkeeping decisions and continuing to start Leno and waiting for him to make a mistake is very reactive and a negative direction of thinking.
In Ramsdale’s debut again West Brom in the Carabao cup we saw glimpses of what he can bring to the side. The defence looked more composed when he was in possession of the ball compared to Leno and not to mention that beautiful low driven pass he played into the midfield.
This is a type of pass I haven’t seen Leno perform before and it was definitely an indication of the direction Arsenal prefer to go in with their goalkeeper, which Ramsdale suits more than Leno so a less intense match against Norwich is the perfect time to get him settled into the squad.
Who do you think should be Arsenal's No1? Let us know in the comments section below.
