Ramsdale was ditched at Goodison Park in favour of summer arrival Raya. Arteta insisted he will continue to rotate his goalkeepers and pick them depending on who suits each match best.
However, Raya stayed in goal for Arsenal’s first Champions League match in over six years against PSV Eindhoven as well as the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday. Ramsdale returned at Brentford in the Carabao Cup, suggesting he has been relegated to being a cup keeper for the time being at least.
Arteta is always looking to improve individual positions and obviously can’t do that with new signings until January. But he can look from within and Tomiyasu could be the latest beneficiary.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal FC looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.
(Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tomiyasu played the majority of his first campaign in Arsenal shirt as a right-back before injury in January 2022 halted his progress. That gave Ben White a chance to stake a claim at right-back, a position he had rarely played before for Arsenal.
The emergence of William Saliba’s partnership with Gabriel meant White had to find a new role in Arteta’s side. He settled in straight away on the right of defence and there was no immediate way back for Tomiyasu.
Tomiyasu had to settle for bit-part roles, often at left-back in the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, before a knee injury in March ruled him out for the remainder of the season. But now he looks to be back to full fitness and top form.
He started this campaign at left-back, with Zinchenko again out, and was perhaps unlucky to be sent off at Crystal Palace. Now Zinchenko is fit, he will start.
But for Tomiyasu to get into the team, White may be the player to fall by the wayside. White hasn’t started the season as well as he did last and perhaps would have already lost his place if Jurrien Timber hadn’t suffered a cruel knee injury on the opening day.
White isn’t playing poorly by any means but neither was Ramsdale. But Tomiyasu’s performance against Brentford was a reminder of his qualities
William Saliba and Zinchenko are unlikely to lose their places, while Gabriel has impressed since coming back into the team. White therefore could be the unfortunate party if Arteta thinks Tomiyasu can make the necessary difference.
