Mikel Arteta ‘HUMILIATED’ Aaron Ramsdale by dropping him for David Raya for Arsenal’s win at Everton, claims Piers Morgan, as he questions treatment of ‘consistently superb’ England keeper

• Mikel Arteta opted to hand David Raya his first Arsenal start in Everton clash 
• Gunners’ boss also swapped summer signing Kai Havertz for Fabio Vieira instead
•  Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

Piers Morgan claims that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has ‘humiliated’ No.1 keeper Aaron Ramsdale by opting for summer signing David Raya during their Everton clash. 

Raya made his first start for Arsenal on the Gunners’ trip to Goodison Park after he was selected over Aaron Ramsdale in the starting XI. 

The controversial TV presenter and journalist posted on X, formerly Twitter, before the game: ‘I don’t understand what Ramsdale has done to deserve being dropped?Havertz, yes.. but Ramsdale’s been consistently superb for us. Why humiliate him?’ 

Many others took to X to share their views on Arteta’s change, with many suggesting that it was a smart move ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League clash with PSV on Wednesday. 

Piers Morgan claims that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has ‘humiliated’ No.1 keeper Aaron Ramsdale by opting for summer signing David Raya to take his spot during their Everton clash

Ramsdale started over Jordan Pickford as England’s number 1 during the international break 

David Raya made his first Arsenal start, replacing Aaron Ramsdale for the clash with Everton

Kai Havertz was replaced by Fabio Vieira in the only other change from the club’s 3-1 win over Man United before the international break

Meanwhile fellow new arrival Kai Havertz has also been replaced in the starting XI after notching an assist on international duty as Germany defeated France in a friendly, with Fabio Vieira taking his place for the clash against the Toffees. 

Mikel Arteta also once again decided to stick with Eddie Nketiah up front, with last season’s marquee arrival Gabriel Jesus named on the bench.

The changes come following a week where the Gunners’ boss explained that he was forced to involve himself in training due to the club having a number of players available, with the 41-year-old taking training matches this week as cover.

Arteta’s decision to sign a new goalkeeper raised eyebrows this summer, particularly with Raya being unlikely to be deployed as a traditional backup given his sizeable reputation after earning plaudits during successive Premier League campaigns with the Bees.

Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta refused to confirm whether the change was indicative of his who his preferred goalkeeper would be going forward.

‘I think I mentioned that we wanted to be the squad with two quality players in this position with different characteristics and and we’ve got that now. 

‘To maximise that we have to play games and we’ve got a lot of games coming up now and it’s the same as other players where we have rotated and they will get a lot of game time in the next few games.’

The Spanish national impressed Arsenal fans in his composed performance against Everton

The two keepers will have to compete for a starting position in Arteta’s squad this season

Ramsdale took an unusual spot on the bench to watch his fellow teammates at Goodison Park

Ramsdale has established himself as the Gunners’ No 1 since his arrival from Sheffield United in 2021 and is widely viewed as first-choice back-up to England’s starting goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. 

The former Brentford goalkeeper joined the Gunners’ this summer to provide competition to Ramsdale for the club’s No 1 spot, with his competitive debut marking the first time since March 2022 that Ramsdale did not start a Premier League game.

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