A camera captured Aaron Ramsdale’s priceless reaction to David Raya’s spectacular save against Spurs.
The England goalkeeper has been playing second fiddle to the Spaniard, who arrived on loan from Brentford during the summer transfer window.
Following the international break, Ramsdale found himself on the bench, with Raya seemingly becoming Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice in goal, having made three consecutive starts.
Raya’s decision was vindicated as he executed a remarkable reflex save to thwart Brennan Johnson in his North London derby debut.
The ex Blackburn man sprawled to his right to claw the ball back away. And not long after, footage showed Ramsdale sat on the bench.
He applauded the excellent piece of goalkeeping and his facial expression showed just how impressed he was.
Ramsdale isn’t getting back in the Arsenal goal pic.twitter.com/nf0fXuWaDl
— Don (@Opresii) September 24, 2023
No hard feelings. 🤝
Ramsdale celebrates THAT Raya save!
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 24, 2023
🥺 Ramsdale clapping for Raya’s save pic.twitter.com/cbBSq0dVKG
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) September 24, 2023
Arsenal went 1-0 up when Cristian Romero deflected Bukayo Saka’s goal into his own net but Spurs levelled through Heung-Min Son, who converted after some excellent play from James Maddison down the left.
Raya didn’t cover himself in glory in the build-up to the goal after flapping at a cross before saving from Johnson again.
Maddison then rinsed Saka, who incidentally had mimicked his celebration after opening the scoring.
Prior to the game, Mikel Arteta explained his decision to go with Raya over Ramsdale, telling Sky Sports: “It’s trying to play the way we want to play on the day. I made some calls and left some players on the bench”.
Ramsdale had started Arsenal’s last 52 Premier League games in a row prior to being displaced by Raya against Everton.
But Arteta hailed the former Bournemouth shotstopper’s professionalism, describing him as “an exceptional character”.
“I understand [his frustration] and it’s very difficult for every player,” he said as perBBC.
“He’s been very supportive and good around the place and that’s what I expect from every single player because when you’re on the field there is someone else who’s not so it works both ways. So far he’s been very good.
“It is hard and with other players it’s the same. Aaron is an exceptional character and has a charisma and aura around him and we all know that.”