Arsenal: Mikel Arteta heaps praises on forgotten star ahead of Brentford clash

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praises on forgotten Gunners star Aaron Ramsdale ahead of a crucial Premier League clash against Brentford.

The Gunners will welcome their London neighbours Brentford at the Emirates on Saturday (March 9) and ahead of that, the Gunners boss spoke highly of Ramsdale in the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Ramsdale started the season as first-choice keeper, but has lost his place to David Raya, who was loaned in from Brentford. But as the two teams clash, Raya won't be able to take part against his parent club, which has opened the door for Ramsdale.

The 25-year-old will be playing his first league match since his appearance against Brentford in the reverse fixture back in November last year. This will also only be his 2nd appearance in this calendar year, while the first one was two months ago against Liverpool in the FA Cup.

There have been reports of the England international leaving ahead of next summer, but amid that, the Gunners boss only had good things to say about Ramsdale.

"He's trained very well and he's desperate to play, like all of the other boys, and it will be a great day for him on Saturday. He has been brilliant, he's really supportive and pushes in training. It's a joy to have two top goalkeepers," Arteta said.

"One of the toughest things is dealing with players who don't have the amount of time (on the pitch) which they deserve. We have an unbelievable group of players and we try to be straight with them and explain to them by giving them the support. When they get the opportunity at the end they try to contribute in the best possible way and that's what Aaron will do," the Gunners boss added.

Arsenal are currently two points behind league-leaders Liverpool, who will be taking on 2nd placed Manchester City in this weekend.