FORMER Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Mikel Arteta has created a ‘big problem for himself’ following the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal signed the 23-year-old from Sheffield United for an initial £24million to provide competition for Bernd Leno.
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The German shot-stopper started the opening three Premier League games, but has since been dropped to the bench after conceding nine goals.
Ramsdale, who made his debut in the 6-0 Carabao Cup second round win against West Brom last month, has displaced Leno in the line-up for the Gunners’ last two top-flight matches.
He kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 win against Norwich at the Emirates, before being named as Arsenal’s man of the match in the 1-0 away victory at Burnley on Saturday.
Fans have been left delighted by Ramsdale’s performances, but ex-Spurs ace Robinson has questioned why he was brought in as he isn’t an upgrade on Leno.
He even claimed that Ramsdale ‘makes a lot of errors’, despite him not conceding a goal in his three outings this term.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “He [Leno] will get angry because his mental state is not right. His head is not in the right place.
“It is difficult as a goalkeeper when you are in and out of the side. Goalkeepers like to know if they are number one or number two.
“When there is a pecking order and you are told where you are in the pecking order you can accept it. You do not want to be fighting for your place every week.
“I cannot understand the signing of Ramsdale. He’s not any better than Leno.
“I think Arteta has just created a big problem for himself. He now has two goalkeepers of similar ability who both want to play.
“Ramsdale is talented but he makes a lot of errors that lead to goals.
“If Arteta wanted to replace Leno he should have gone out and signed a top-class goalkeeper. What he’s bought is not better than what he’s got.”
Prior to the clash at Turf Moor, Sport Bild reporter Christian Falk stated that Leno will be back between the sticks this weekend for the North London derby against Tottenham.
But Arteta declared that is news to him, as he commented: “I don’t know where they are coming from but they are ahead of me!
“I think I am the one who picks the team at the weekend and sometimes I read things that I haven’t decided yet.
“They give me ideas at the most but nothing else because I haven’t made a decision on my team for Saturday or for the North London Derby.”
