Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ready to call Aaron Ramsdale's bluff on Emirates return
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale returns to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to face his former side, having yet to taste a Premier League win at new club Southampton
by Mike Walters · The MirrorMikel Arteta cranked up the “mind games” ahead of his reunion with Aaron Ramsdale today - by calling his bluff over Arsenal's set piece tricks.
Brutally axed by Arteta in favour of David Raya last season, Ramsdale became a £25million refugee at promoted Southampton in the summer. Although Ramsdale, 26, is assured of a warm ovation on his return to the Emirates, Gunners messiah Arteta warned he may tinker with his set piece routines to keep his former keeper guessing.
Arteta’s side have scored 26 goals from set pieces since the start of last season, more than any other top-flight side, and the Arsenal boss grinned: “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!
“So there’s maybe gonna be some mind games. I’m sure that they will have discussed that.
“It’s not the first time that we have played against a player that was once in our camp, it’s natural that it happens. So we need to have the capacity to understand and continue to do our things.”
Raya has proved a worthy successor to Ramsdale with the gloves, and Arteta added: "Obviously he (Ramsdale) decided he wanted to take another step in his career.
“We were really happy with him, we wanted that competition and that level because we need a lot of competition in the position. But we wish him all the best and he’s doing really well.”
Ramsdale suffered relegation from the Premier League with Sheffield United and Bournemouth before he moved to Arsenal, where his eye-catching form earned him five England caps.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.