Mikel Arteta praises 'exceptional' Aaron Ramsdale amid David Raya competition after Arsenal beat Brentford

Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Aaron Ramsdale in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Brentford in the League Cup on Wednesday.

Ramsdale has seen his game time limited since the arrival of ex-Bees gloveman David Raya, with the Spaniard featuring in the Gunners' last three matches.

Arteta faced scrutiny for taking Ramsdale out of the team in favour of Raya after a 1-0 win away at Everton earlier this month.

Arteta wanted to normalise the idea of rotating goalkeepers and treating the position like an outfield one, hinting there would be no established No. 1 at the Emirates this season.

The England shot-stopper returned between the sticks at the Gtech Community Stadium, and Arteta spoke about the 25-year-old in glowing terms.

He said: “He’s been exceptional around the place with the situation. Like everybody.

“We love him more for sure. We have him every day. We know him, we know his character and we are really happy to have him.

“I don’t think I’m the one to answer the question about Aaron Ramsdale’s quality because I’m the one who signed him when everyone else was questioning that decision. So I don’t think I’m the one to answer that question.

“Every player is very important. We have a lot of injuries as well and players who contributed. But in football it’s about now, it’s about the moment.

“Today he [Ramsdale] had the opportunity to play and he played a really big game.”

Ramsdale’s re-introduction into the side was one of eight changes Arteta made to his side following the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Sunday, and included debutant Charles Sagoe Jr.

“I think Jakub [Kiwior] played really well, [Takehiro] Tomiyasu too, Jorgi [Jorginho] after what happened three days ago he had a really big game, Reiss [Nelson] did too, he hasn’t started many games and scored the goal. Same with Emile [Smith Rowe],” Arteta added.

“And for sure Charles [Sagoe Jr], it was a great day for him. It’s great to have an academy player with us and a lot of positives to take and as always a lot of things to improve as well.”

Arsenal will now turn their attention back to the Premier League at the weekend with a match away at Bournemouth on Saturday.

Their next League Cup assignment will see them feature in another London derby on October 31 after they were drawn away to West Ham in the last 16.

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