“I find it implausible” – Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal star will feel he is on ‘icy ground’ after Mikel Arteta decision

Rio Ferdinand reckons Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale for David Raya may be detrimental to the English goalkeeper.

Arteta made the bold call to displace Ramsdale with Raya in a 1-0 win against Everton in the league on September 17. The Spanish shot-stopper has been No.1 since then and uncertainty is growing over his new understudy's future.

Ferdinand has explained how changing a goalkeeper differs from that of an outfield player. The Manchester United legend said on his Vibe with FIVE podcast:

"I have seen a lot of people talk on social media talking about goalkeepers like they are outfield players. They are absolutely different specimens, different people have to be treated differently."

Ferdinand alluded to the rarity of a goalkeeper not knowing whether they're No.1:

"There has not been a point in any goalkeeper's career right from the grassroots to all the way to the first team in professional football has a goalkeeper been told that, ‘You two I don't know who is my no.1 and you are going to have to fight out.'"

He added:

"They are wired completely different to an outfield player, both of them always know who is the no.1 and who is the no.2 and unless the no.1 makes a catalogue of errors the no.2 does not replace him. That's how it has always been."

Ferdinand pointed out that Ramsdale may be feeling the pressure when playing now, wary of what Arteta is thinking if he makes an error:

"The way Raya has come in and taken the no.1 spot, Ramsdale is going to be sitting there thinking that he is standing on an icy ground. So whenever he ends up playing a difficult ball and it gets cut out he is going to think what’s the manager thinking, what’s his body language, and what’s his mannerisms suggesting."

The Red Devils icon doesn't visualize the current situation panning out as he feels Ramsdale won't agree with his current standing:

"Every goalkeeper in the league or anywhere in the world are a 100% certain that they are no.1. So to change and flip that and expect the goalkeeper to be okay with it, I find it implausible. Players are different they are never a 100% sure, a couple of bad games and you can get replaced and that is understood.”

Ramsdale was a standout performer for Arsenal last season, keeping 15 clean sheets in 41 games across competitions. Many argue that Arteta's decision to switch shot-stopper is an unnecessary one.

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Paul Merson suggests David Raya is struggling with the pressure of being Arsenal's No.1

David Raya has yet to win over critics at Arsenal.

Raya joined Arsenal from Brentford on loan in the summer with the view to a permanent £27 million deal. He's since made seven appearances across competitions, keeping four clean sheets.

The Spaniard started his season brightly but has looked nervy in clashes with Manchester City (1-0 win), Tottenham Hotspur (2-2 draw) and Chelsea (2-2 draw).

Raya was particularly unconvincing in the draw against the Blues on Saturday (October 21), beaten by Mykhaylo Mudryk's cross-shot. Many are now raising doubts about him displacing Ramsdale.

Paul Merson thinks Raya is feeling the pressure that comes with being Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper. He told Sky Sports:

"It's different for a goalkeeper at a top club. The pressure is well and truly on when you play for a big club like Arsenal week in, week out. Everything you do is put under the microscope."

He added:

"On the other hand, at a club like Brentford, there's very much the mentality of you win a game and you lose a game."

Raya was superb for Brentford during his four years with the Bees. He kept 54 clean sheets in 161 games and was key in their promotion to the Premier League in 2021.