'We lost because he saw a bird!' - Aaron Ramsdale savaged on social media as Arsenal goalkeeper's shock concentration admission in Ian Wright interview resurfaces

Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale has been savaged on social media as supporters react to the admission that he struggles to concentrate for 90 minutes.

WHAT HAPPENED?
The England international has lost his place in the Gunners team at present, with summer signing David Raya taking over between the sticks. Plenty were shocked at that decision from Mikel Arteta, with Ramsdale famed for his reflexes and confidence with the ball at his feet.

THE BIGGER PICTURE
He has made the odd error at times, while never being afraid to interact with rival supporters, and conceded during a Behind The Game chat with Arsenal icon Ian Wright that he needs distractions in order to help him realign focus on match day. Ramsdale said: “If you ask me to focus on a game of football for 90 minutes I'm finished. I can't do it. So that's why I get involved with the fans and I sing along with the songs. Someone's giving me abuse, I'll turn around and give them a bit back. I have had my two/three minutes of sort of madness in my head - straight back to the football. I've got 10/15 minutes of pure concentration again. Next thing you know, half-time is around.”
WHAT THEY SAID
Former Arsenal striker Wright struggled to hide his surprise at Ramsdale offering advice to rivals on a potential weakness in his game, while fans have suggested that the 25-year-old should have kept that secret to himself – with some pointing out goals that could have been a direct result of Ramsdale losing focus, including one effort scored by Southampton in which the Three Lions star appeared to be distracted by a bird.
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WHAT NEXT?
Ramsdale joined Arsenal in 2021, making a similar admission at that time, and is not the only goalkeeper in world football that needs to switch off occasionally in order to get back into the game. He fills a position that can see him left with little to do for long periods, making it difficult for full concentration to be maintained for a full 90 minutes and beyond.

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