In what are likely the final remnants Ramsdale’s Arsenal career, a sorry ending

In what are likely the final remnants of Aaron Ramsdale’s Arsenal career, what a sorry ending.

An ending which, bar an injury to David Raya, caps off a season turbulent on a personal note, his battles on the pitch proving as stubborn as those within his own head.

It could, of course, have been much worse if Kai Havertz had not come to the rescue with an 86th-minute headed winner to see off Brentford on Saturday.

The damage had been done, though. As Gabriel’s pass trickled along the floor to Ramsdale in the fourth minute of first-half injury-time, the goalkeeper’s right leg cocked back pistol-like for an age, Yoane Wissa rapidly closed in.

Wissa then committed a sliding challenge to deflect Ramsdale’s attempted kick into the net.

It was poor indeed. The England man should have cleared the ball forward seconds before his opponent could even get near him.

Arsenal’s substitutes and backroom staff made their way over to the 25-year-old at half-time, slapping him on the back by way of encouragement. It echoed the reception usually given to a child for taking part, but not quite hitting the required mark.

Seeds of doubt within the 'keeper were sown just weeks after this campaign began. That September 17 evening, when Raya replaced him in the Gunners’ 1-0 victory over Everton, is significant.

Not just because it was the beginning of the end for Ramsdale, his No 1 spot having been taken for good. But the manner in which it was handled. Mikel Arteta spoke of how keepers are interchangeable, suggesting they could be swapped between games or even in a game.

Opportunities have been there for this. The 5-0 procession at half-time away to Sheffield United last week, when 3-0 up at Burnley after 47 minutes on February 17 and the 4-0 scoreline