Mikel Arteta has explained how he plans to get the better of former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale when the Gunners face Southampton on Saturday.
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Ramsdale faces former club on SaturdayArteta jokes about set-piece planArsenal unbeaten so far this seasonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Ramsdale spent three seasons at the Emirates Stadium before completing a permanent transfer to Southampton this summer on a four-year deal worth up to £25 million ($33m). After being named in the PFA Team of the Year in the 2022-23 campaign, the England international lost his place in the XI to David Raya at the start of last season.
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The 26-year-old custodian is now all set to face his former team as the Gunners host the Saints in a Premier League clash on Saturday. Ahead of the encounter, Arsenal boss Arteta joked that he has chalked up a set-piece plan to confuse Ramsdale in the game. The north London side have been noticeably clinical from set-pieces under the Spanish coach this season, but former Gunner Ramsdale will of course be familiar with their tactics.
WHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID
When reporters asked the 42-year-old manager if he was considering tweaking his set-piece plans ahead of facing Ramsdale, the manager said: "Probably. Maybe we tell him that we will adapt something but then do the same thing so he’s gonna be thinking we’re gonna adapt it! So there’s maybe gonna be some mind games. I’m sure that they (Southampton) will have discussed that.
"It’s not the first time that we have played against a player that was in our camp, it’s natural that it happens. We need to have the capacity to understand and continue to do our things."
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The Gunners are yet to suffer defeat this season, and they will aim to extend the unbeaten run on Saturday as they take on a struggling Southampton side who have lost five out of their first six Premier League clashes.