Stevie Nicol says Aaron Ramsdale had to do ‘way better’ during Arsenal’s 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Manchester United in New York, USA.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring in the first half when his low pile driver from 25 yards out was too hot to handle for Aaron Ramsdale.
Whilst it was a very good goal from Manchester United’s new captain, it was pretty obvious that Arsenal’s man between the sticks should have saved the long-distance shot, which was touched upon by Liverpool legend Nicol, as he told ESPN.
Arsenal would go on to concede again in the first half, this time through Jadon Sancho, before both teams took penalties, well, why wouldn’t you?! It’s a pre-season friendly after all.
Erik ten Hag’s men came out on top of that as well, with his team winning the shootout 5-3 after their 2-0 win in normal time.
Nonetheless, this is what Nicol made of Ramsdale against Manchester United.
Arsenal FC v MLS All-Stars – 2023 MLS All-Star Game.
“You have got to close this guy (Bruno Fernandes) down when he is within 25 yards of the goal,” said Nicol.
“Of course, the goalkeeper has to do way better with the attempt to save it. Oh my goodness!”
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Whilst it was a very good goal from Manchester United’s new captain, it was pretty obvious that Arsenal’s man between the sticks should have saved the long-distance shot, which was touched upon by Liverpool legend Nicol, as he told ESPN.
Arsenal would go on to concede again in the first half, this time through Jadon Sancho, before both teams took penalties, well, why wouldn’t you?! It’s a pre-season friendly after all.
Erik ten Hag’s men came out on top of that as well, with his team winning the shootout 5-3 after their 2-0 win in normal time.
Nonetheless, this is what Nicol made of Ramsdale against Manchester United.
Arsenal FC v MLS All-Stars – 2023 MLS All-Star Game
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
“You have got to close this guy (Bruno Fernandes) down when he is within 25 yards of the goal,” said Nicol.
“Of course, the goalkeeper has to do way better with the attempt to save it. Oh my goodness!”
Arsenal v Manchester United – Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Big season for Ramsdale
It’s a pre-season game, so this shouldn’t have much spotlight. Plus, Arsenal’s £30 million man (Sky Sports) will prefer to get all the errors out of his way in pre-season, before getting to work when the real thing kicks off in August.
This is a big season for Ramsdale because, if he produces another strong campaign, then many will be pushing for him to be England’s number one.
And with Euro 2024 around the corner, the competition for that place is as strong as it has ever been with Newcastle United keeper Nick Pope also trying to dethrone Jordan Pickford as England’s main guy with the gloves.
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