Aaron Ramsdale to return to Arsenal first-team and replace David Raya in club’s first match since keeper’s dad’s rant
AARON RAMSDALE is set to return to Arsenal's Premier League starting XI for the first time since September next weekend.
The England man last started a game in the Premier League for the Gunners against Manchester United in Arsenal's fourth league game of the season.
That preceded the season's first international break and since then Ramsdale has been dropped in favour of Brentford loanee David Raya.
Ramsdale has instead been limited to Carabao Cup appearances against Brentford and West Ham.
Arsenal's no2 will step back into his former first-choice role against Brentford with Raya being ineligible to face his parent club.
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So Raya is instead a £3 million Brentford loanee with Arsenal having the option to buy the Spaniard for £27m.
It is widely expected that Arsenal will activate the buy clause this summer.
Ramsdale's chances of making a return as Arsenal's no1 were harmed by a recent interview with Ian Wright where he said: “If you ask me to concentrate on a game of football for 90 minutes I’m finished. I can’t do it.
"So that’s why I get involved with the fans and I’ll sing along with the songs.
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"If someone’s giving me abuse I’ll turn around and I’ll give them a bit back."
Ian Wright looked stunned at Ramsdale's admission before the keeper continued: "I’ve had my two/three minutes of sort of madness in my head, straight back to the football.
"I’ve got 10/15 minutes of total concentration again - next thing you know half time is around."
Meanwhile Ramsdale's father, Nick, this week hit back at critics of his son last week and labelled them a "disgrace".
He said: "It's the unfounded stuff you find difficult. Football is all about opinion."
Ramsdale's father was particularly angry about Jamie Carragher's accusation that Ramsdale played up to the cameras when he applauded an excellent Raya save.
He said: "Sometimes you find it difficult. Mr Carragher was talking like my lad was a phoney but he doesn't know Aaron, he doesn't know if he's a phoney or not.
"He was on Sky judging my son and he doesn't even know him."