Ruthless Arteta set to stick with Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal

Aaron Ramsdale is set to strip Bernd Leno of the Arsenal number one position between the sticks after keeping consecutive clean sheets since signing from Sheffield United. (Photo credit: Arsenal.com)

If there was anything Mikel Arteta learned from his former boss Pep Guardiola, it seems to be ruthlessness as the case of Joe Hart at the Etihad when Guardiola took over is playing out with Bernd Leno at Arsenal under Arteta.

Aaron Ramsdale, a shock £25million capture from Sheffield United towards the end of the transfer window, has yet to concede a goal in 270 minutes for the Gunners, he made his debut in a league cup game against West Brom and has been in goal since the return from the international break.

After clean sheets against West Bromwich Albion and Norwich, Burnley at Turf Moor was a tougher test and one which he passed with flying colours.

The 23-year-old controlled his area against the aerial threats of Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes and set the tone for an uncharacteristically resolute Gunners display with centre half Gabriel outstanding as well as mega defensive signing Ben White.

Ramsdale made a great stop to deny Maxwell Cornet scoring on his Burnley debut and was an additional source of Arsenal attacks with some great distribution, something the big German lacks.

He was also vital in the key moment of the game, rushing from his goal after 69 minutes to clear from Matej Vydra after a mishit back passes by Ben White.

Referee Anthony Taylor initially awarded a Burnley penalty but overturned his decision after checking his monitor which showed the goalkeeper had touched the ball before his opponent and the England goalkeeper was so confident in his argument with Taylor.

‘This is his character, his leadership,’ said Arteta glowingly about Ramsdale. ‘It is how he presents himself as a person as well. That is what I like about him. He dominates his area.

‘He also has qualities going the other way. We have to find spaces and under pressure he has this ability.’

In the end, a single well-executed free-kick by Martin Odegaard after 30 minutes was enough for Arsenal to claim their second consecutive Premier League win following a dreadful opening to the campaign of three defeats.

But Turf Moor is no longer home, sweet home for Burnley who have failed to win there since January — a run of 13 games.

They are stuck in the bottom three having taken only one point from five games and for all the talk by chief executive Alan Pace of ‘raising the bar’ with Sean Dyche signing a new contract, the priority will be to secure their Premier League status.

After the final whistle, rival fans in the Cricket Field stand threw bottles and other objects at each other and there were reports of disturbances in the car park. The FA is investigating and both clubs will likely play sanctions.