Ex-Arsenal forward Kevin Campbell believes the Gunners are still in the title race despite recent form
|Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell believes the Gunners are still in the title race despite the recent dip in form, and according to the 53-year-old, Mikel Arteta will need his two goalkeepers.
The goalkeeping situation at Arsenal has made the headlines on several occasions, with Arteta preferring David Raya to Aaron Ramsdale, who was instrumental to his side’s title charge last term.
Raya’s performances have struggled to inspire confidence in his ability to retain his place as first-choice goalkeeper, while Ramsdale, when given the chance, has looked rusty after spending the bulk of the season on the bench.
Raya was in goal when Arsenal suffered their most recent 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage, which followed a deflating 2-0 loss to West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta’s side have won just one of their last four Premier League games, failing to win any of their previous three (D1, L2), but Campbell believes Arsenal still have what it takes to challenge for the title.
“Aaron Ramsdale, England international, got the club to the Champions League, and Mikel Arteta decided that he’s going to bring in better competition,” Campbell told Sky Sports.
“That’s not rocket science, considering Matt Turner went to Nottingham Forest. But the fact of the matter is that Arteta decided that he prefers Raya in goal to Ramsdale.
“I think that’s when the wheels started to really come off, the way the player [Ramsdale] had been treated. But I think it’s died down a bit now.
“I can’t see Arsenal letting Ramsdale leave in January. I think once you get to the summer, then you can move and see how things go.
“But I think Arsenal are still in with a title shout, and they’re going to need both keepers.
Back-to-back London derby defeats have seen Arsenal plummet to fourth place in the Premier League table, five points adrift of pacesetters Liverpool and one ahead of north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.