A howler from Aaron Ramsdale saw Brentford draw level against Arsenal on the goalkeeper’s first appearance for over two months. The England stopper was controversially dropped to the bench earlier this season, but he came in for David Raya on Saturday as the Spaniard was ineligible to face his former side.
Ramsdale hadn’t featured in the Premier League since the last time Raya was ruled out against Brentford back in November, despite suggestions from Gunners boss Mikel Arteta that he would look to rotate his two goalkeepers over the course of the campaign.
A shaky display from Ramsdale at the Gtech Community Stadium seemingly dissuaded Arteta from taking unnecessary chances, with the 25-year-old’s only two appearances since coming in the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Saturday was therefore a momentous day for Ramsdale as he lined up for the Gunners once more. But a quiet first half was turned on its head in stoppage time when he dallied on the ball as Wissa closed him down.
In attempting to clear, Ramsdale launched the ball against the sliding Wissa and it looped into the net. The Arsenal keeper dropped to his knees and puffed out his cheeks as the Brentford forward wheeled away in celebration after levelling up the game at 1-1.
Declan Rice had put the Gunners in front inside 20 minutes when he headed home Ben White’s cross, notching a sixth goal contribution in his last five matches.
Ramsdale is in danger of missing out on England’s Euro 2024 squad due to his lack of first-team action, but Arteta urged Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate to judge the former Sheffield United stopper on his long-term merits.
“I don’t know how Gareth is thinking, but if I put that situation into my eyes and my perspective and how I make a decision, I would judge Aaron not for what he has done in one day but what he has done in the last two or three seasons and the consistency he has shown, the quality he has shown,” said the Spaniard.
