Aaron Ramsdale absence vs Chelsea explained by Arsenal as David Raya continues in goal

Arsenal are without Aaron Ramsdale for their trip to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon. David Raya will start for the Gunners and Karl Hein comes into the squad to take the spot on the bench in place of the England international.

The reason behind the keeper's absence is due to the birth of his baby boy. Everyone at football.london wishes to send our congratulations to Aaron and his wife Georgina.

The loss of Ramsdale will not have been a blow in the same way as it would have been last season. The former Sheffield United stopper was the unequivocal number one but the arrival of Raya has changed everything.

Speaking during the international break, Ramsdale admitted to suffering through this period of being out of the side. Since Raya claimed the spot, his competitor has only played once in the League Cup win over Brentford.

Asked in a recent interview how it has been sitting on the bench, he was honest. Understandably, Ramsdale explained the tough nature of what had happened.

“Because it’s one of the first times it’s happened with the situation, it has been difficult,” Ramsdale said. “There are times where you’re doing the right thing but it’s the wrong thing and if you don’t do it, it’s the wrong thing. So it’s a double-edged sword.”

The relationship with Raya, Ramsdale maintains, is positive despite the Spaniard taking his place in the team. The personality of the 25-year-old has always been lauded and it shone through again here.

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“We work professionally really well together. We push each other in training and there’s days where I come in