Martin Odegaard sends Aaron Ramsdale message after Mikel Arteta decision
- Mikel Arteta caused a stir when he played David Raya instead of Ramsdale against Everton
- Boss has warned his players he is prepared to drop anybody at any time
- Odegaard has praised Ramsdale for his response
By Tom Gott
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has praised Aaron Ramsdale for his reaction to losing his starting spot for Sunday's 1-0 win over Everton.
Ramsdale was surprisingly named on the bench for the game, with David Raya taking his place and keeping a clean sheet on what was his debut for the Gunners after his switch from Brentford during the summer.
Manager Mikel Arteta has warned his players that he is prepared to make tough decisions like this one, with even Odegaard acknowledging he is not a guaranteed starter despite his role in the dressing room.
Asked whether he could lose his place, Odegaard told football.london: "Of course. Of course, the competition is huge.
"You see it in training every day, the quality that we have. Everyone has to be on their very best every day in training, so I think that’s a good thing. It will help us improve as a team as well."
As for Ramsdale, Odegaard praised his goalkeeper for his positivity in the aftermath of Arteta's surprise decision.
"I think he will just keep working hard like he is always doing," Odegaard said. "[Against Everton] he was there supporting us, cheering for us, helping us.
"He is a great character and he showed a very good response today by backing the team, by being there and giving us energy. It was excellent from him. We have two good goalkeepers there and big competition."
Arteta will have another tough call to make on Wednesday when Arsenal return to Champions League action against PSV Eindhoven.
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