Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn believes his old club will beat Tottenham – whoever plays in goal for them.
Winterburn was a key member of the famously mean Arsenal defence in front of keeper David Seaman that won two league titles under George Graham and was still there to do the Double under Arsene Wenger in 1998.
And he thinks the debate concerning who Mikel Arteta should select between David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale is laughable.
He explained: “I don’t understand the debate – why would you now want goalkeepers of that quality? Those two goalkeepers have got to deal with that, and make sure that they’re the number one.
“But boy oh boy, I’m so pleased that we’ve got two outstanding goalkeepers because if one gets injured, you don’t even need to look at who’s coming in on your team sheet. You know you’ve got a high quality keeper.”
Brentford loan keeper Raya was given the nod ahead of England international Ramsdale for last weekend’s win at Everton and kept his place for the midweek Champions League victory over PSV. He is yet to concede a goal and has hardly had a shot to save.
“The change didn’t surprise me,” Winterburn added, speaking wirth 888sport. “I just had a funny feeling that they might just switch it around a little bit with the goalkeepers.
“I don’t know who is going to play against Tottenham and beyond, but I’m happy to be in that situation of it being one of those two.
“I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve got two high-quality goalies. And to be quite honest with you now, when the team sheet comes out, I don’t need to look at the first name on the team sheet, I can start from the bottom and work my way up. Because I know if one’s injured then we’ve got a quality replacement.”
There will be few more passionately hoping for an Arsenal win than Winterburn in the first north London derby of the season. The tough-tackling left-back believes both sets of players should be prepared to cope with whatever abuse is thrown their way – so long as supporters and players do not cross the line.
Stories of players having their homes daubed in excrement by rival fans are stuffofg legend, but Winterburn joked: “That won’t happen to me as no one knows where I live. If anybody does I will know it is my neighbour as he is a Spurs fan. I am still trying to sell the house!
“I think you find that it’s part of the job if you play or playing professional football, or have played professional football.”
Nigel Winterburn was speaking in association with https://www.888sport.com/
