Kai Havertz and Aaron Ramsdale dropped as David Raya gets nod in goal for Arsenal’s Premier League clash at Everton
Mikel Arteta has made two big calls for Arsenal's Premier League trip to Everton by benching both Kai Havertz and Aaron Ramsdale.
David Raya has been given the nod ahead of the England international, with the Spaniard set to make his first appearance in a Gunners shirt since his arrival from Brentford.
Meanwhile, after weeks of criticism for the slow start to his Arsenal career, big-money summer signing Havertz has been dropped.
Fabio Vieira takes his place in the attacking midfield role after a number of impressive appearances off the bench this season.
It means homegrown fan favourite Emile Smith Rowe will have to wait for his chance to impress, with the 23-year-old yet to make a Premier League appearance this season despite his return to fitness.
It's not often a manager will bench his No.1 goalkeeper, particularly when he is the class of Ramsdale who has barely put a foot wrong and is coming off the back of a start for England during the international break.
The signing of Raya from Brentford — on an initial loan deal for £3million with a £27m obligation to buy — caused a bit of the stir over the summer.
Questions were asked whether a clear No.1-quality goalkeeper would get much game time with Ramsdale already established between the sticks, while some Gunners supporters feared it might upset the dynamic behind the scenes and unsettle the England man.
But with Arsenal due to kick off their Champions League campaign this week against PSV Eindhoven, Arteta may have thought it the perfect opportunity to give his starting glovesman a rest and Raya his chance to impress against lowly Everton.
The Havertz decision was less of a surprise considering the amount of criticism is has faced since his arrival from Chelsea.
The German
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