Mikel Arteta Sends Clear Message to Arsenal Staff Following Argument with Coach

After a dispute with one of his top assistants, Mikel Arteta sent a clear message to his Arsenal staff. Goalkeeper David Raya was one of the four major signings Arsenal made last summer, aiming to build on their impressive 2022/23 season where they finished as Premier League runners-up. However, the decision to sign Raya on loan from Brentford for an initial £3 million, with a £27 million option to make it permanent, sparked controversy among the media and the club's fan base. This move, replacing fan-favorite Aaron Ramsdale, who was expected to be Arsenal’s No.1 for years to come, divided the Arsenal staff.

Assistant coach Steve Round, a trusted lieutenant of Arteta's since their Everton days, was reportedly against the transfer. Round believed that replacing Ramsdale would disrupt Arsenal’s culture, given Ramsdale's popularity among staff and players. Additionally, he thought the club should invest in other positions instead of allocating more resources to the goalkeeping department, especially as Ramsdale had recently signed a new deal.

Raya (L) swiftly supplanted Aaron Ramsdale as the first-choice goalkeeper.

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Despite Round's objections, Arteta's decision prevailed. The disagreement played a role in Round's departure from Arsenal, announced in July 2023 as a 'mutual agreement,' before Raya's signing. This departure sent a strong message to Arteta’s staff that Arsenal was always seeking creative solutions and improvement, even if by small margins.

Arteta elevated coaching prodigy Carlos Cuesta, aged 28, in a move aimed at showcasing a pathway for young staff members to rise within Arsenal. Cuesta, a highly-regarded figure from Mallorca who speaks six languages, gained prominence at London Colney, even displaying his coaching skills in Amazon Prime’s ‘All or Nothing’ 2022 documentary.

Following Raya’s arrival, Arteta stirred controversy by suggesting the potential substitution of goalkeepers during games. The Spanish goalkeeper made his debut against Everton and quickly displaced Ramsdale as the No.1 by September 17.

Despite a shaky start marked by high-profile errors attributed to intense scrutiny, the 28-year-old repaid Arteta's faith with a remarkable turnaround. His 16 clean sheets this season were a Premier League high, earning him the Golden Glove award as Arsenal narrowly missed out on the title.

Ramsdale, on the other hand, found himself mostly on the bench throughout the season, making only two appearances, both against Brentford, after being replaced due to Raya's unavailability against his former club. With Raya's transfer set to become permanent this summer and contract terms already agreed upon, Ramsdale is anticipated to depart.

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