Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued a warning to former Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who is due to return to the Emirates Stadium with his new club Southampton. Arteta hinted at using set-piece mind games to upset Ramsdale, who left Arsenal this summer in pursuit of more consistent playing time.
Arteta acknowledged the challenge of facing a former player who is well-acquainted with Arsenal’s set-piece routines. He suggested that the Gunners might need to tweak their strategies to keep Ramsdale guessing.
When asked if Arsenal need to adapt with this in mind, Arteta said: “Probably.
“Maybe we tell him that we will adapt something but then do the same thing so he’s gonna be thinking we’re gonna adapt it,” Arteta remarked.
“I’m sure that they will have discussed that. It’s not the first time that we have played against a player that was in our camp, it’s natural that it happens
This psychological tactic is intended to generate confusion in Ramsdale’s head, perhaps providing Arsenal an advantage during set-pieces.
Under the guidance of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, Arsenal has become one of the Premier League’s most formidable teams in dead-ball situations. Since Jover’s arrival, the Gunners have scored 44 goals from set-pieces, demonstrating their precise preparation and execution. However, with Ramsdale’s intimate knowledge of these routines, Arteta emphasized the need for adaptability and creativity.
Arteta admits it was “hard” to let Ramsdale leave. The Spaniard added: “I am grateful for what he did. When we signed him there was a lot of noise around him.
“We helped to create the environment he needed because we believed in his potential. He showed it and won the respect and admiration of all of us.
“And then the circumstances changed because this is elite sport and anything can happen. It was difficult to deal with that situation in a natural way and we decided to part ways.
“He decided he wanted to take another step in his career. I called him straight away after I got the news. He was really happy.
“He’s a player that we loved a lot, very charismatic and he really put his fingerprints here at the club in the way that he was. It will be very good to see him.”
Despite the competitive edge, Ramsdale has expressed no ill will towards his former club or his successor, David Raya. In an interview, Ramsdale shared his thoughts on the upcoming match and his time at Arsenal. “I tried my hardest to dislodge David. I do think now the rewards are showing. He’s started the season incredibly well,” Ramsdale said. He also mentioned the support he received from Raya, who was the first to congratulate him on his move to Southampton.
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