Aaron Ramsdale is eventually left smiling after Arsenal spare the England goalkeeper's blushes and beat Brentford to move top of the Premier League.
beaten Brentford in a slog of a 2-1 winDuring that period it looked as though his error - hesitating on a backpass and seeing Brentford equalise when his eventual clearance was charged down by Yoane Wissa - would prove costly.
The 25-year-old looked distraught as he headed into half-time, and the contrasting nature of his emotions at the end of each half summed up a rollercoaster evening for the England keeper. The high of a rare Premier League start was followed by the low of his mistake just before half-time. But he recovered after the break to show his worth to the team, producing two saves from Ivan Toney and Nathan Collins which prevented Arsenal falling 2-1 behind. Those stops proved pivotal as the home side went on to nick a late winner through Kai Havertz which surely left Ramsdale the most relieved man in Emirates Stadium. "I'm really happy especially because he did exactly what he is, which is a person with huge personality and courage, very determined," Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said. "Errors are part of football. It's how you react to it, especially for the keepers which is probably the most difficult position."I'm not surprised because the whole team and the whole stadium was behind him.How the dressing room rallied round Ramsdale Had Havertz not rescued Arsenal, Ramsdale's mistake might have have stopped Arsenal earning a statement win before title rivals Liverpool and Manchester CityThe race between Arsenal, Liverpool and City is so tight it feels like any time one of the three challengers drops points, especially in a home game against a struggling side, it could decide the destination of the Premier League trophy. After his goal secured victory, Havertz said the squad rallied round Ramsdale in the dressing room at half-time and moving on from the incident quickly is what helped them bounce back. "Everyone in our team all made errors during the season. Sometimes when you are a goalkeeper it can look worse. We are all in this together," said the Germany forward."It was tough for us - I think we handled it quite well. We conceded an unlucky goal but we believed and did it."Arteta surprised many when he decided Arsenal needed another goalkeeper last summer. Ramsdale had been the ever-present number one in Arsenal's spirited title challenge last season, keeping 14 clean sheets and conceding 44 goals in 38 games - the second-lowest tallies in the top flight. But Arteta believed his squad would be improved by Spain keeper David Raya, who arrived on a season-long loan from Brentford. While Ramsdale did start the league campaign, he was swiftly replaced by Raya who appears to be preferred for his better distribution skills. On Saturday, Ramsdale returned against Brentford to play in the Premier League for the first time since November's reverse fixture and his sloppy error only served to underline Arteta's stance on Raya becoming first choice. Former Arsenal and England winger Karen Carney, covering the game as an analyst for Sky Sports, believes Wissa was emboldened to close down Ramsdale more quickly than he would have done if his former team-mate Raya was playing. "Wissa trained every day with Raya last year and I'm not sure he'd have pressed him in the same way he did Ramsdale," Carney said. "We've seen all the stats that say Ramsdale is a brilliant shot-stopping goalkeeper, but the reason he is not in the Arsenal team is because of playing out from the back." Clearly Arteta had identified Ramsdale's limitation in this crucial area integral to the way his side plays, and is why Raya will return as first choice when Arsenal go to Manchester City in their next Premier League game. Ramsdale's race may be run, but despite his error the Gunners are still in the thick of the most important race - to be crowned Premier League champions.Has Toyota solved the electric car battery problem?Why were Waterloo's fallen soldiers turned into sugar?How to follow your Premier League team on the BBC
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
David Raya: Is Arsenal's goalkeeper gamble working as Aaron Ramsdale returns in goal vs Brentford, live on Sky Sports?With Aaron Ramsdale returning in goal for Arsenal vs Brentford on Saturday, Sky Sports analyses David Raya's season so far for the Gunners...
Read more »
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale produces howler for Brentford equaliserAaron Ramsdale was at fault for Brentford's leveller against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Read more »
– Brentford fans taunt Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal goalkeeper makes horror mistake...Talk TV host and massive Arsenal fan Piers Morgan joined the Breakfast show and claimed that Declan Rice has made the difference for the Gunners this year and touted him as one of their best ever signings.
Read more »
Havertz spares Ramsdale's blushes as Arsenal go topKai Havertz scores a late winner as Arsenal beat Brentford to go top of the Premier League before Liverpool and Manchester City meet on Sunday.
Read more »
Aaron Ramsdale slammed for 'shameless' reaction after Arsenal's winner against BrentfordArsenal scored a late winner against Brentford, with Kai Havertz coming up clutch after Aaron Ramsdale's poor error gifted an equaliser.
Read more »
Aaron Ramsdale makes huge error on Arsenal return against BrentfordAn absolute nightmare for the Arsenal goalkeeper.
Read more »