A back-and-forth has erupted between pundits and family members alike, with former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys and Sky pundit Jamie Carragher offering conflicting views on Aaron Ramsdale’s enthusiastic sideline behaviour during Arsenal’s recent 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Richard Keys has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Aaron Ramsdale, Arsenal‘s goalkeeper, who was a bench player during the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Ramsdale, who was kept on the sidelines in favour of summer signing David Raya, displayed high-spirited support for his team-mate, particularly after a first-half save.

This prompted commentary from Jamie Carragher, a Sky pundit, who compared Ramsdale’s reaction to that of a losing Oscars nominee.

During the post-match analysis on Sky, Carragher said, “I thought it was like the Oscars, you know when someone loses the Oscar and they start clapping and smiling for the other person. I was laughing when I saw that. He’s absolutely devastated with that really.”

On hearing these comments, Nick Ramsdale, Aaron’s father, took to Twitter to rebuke Carragher: ‘You are a Disgrace!! Show some class!! My lad has.’

Richard Keys, writing in his blog, took some time off ranting about Mikel Arteta on the touchline to disagree with Carragher’s assessment.

He commended Nick Ramsdale for defending his son and questioned Carragher’s earlier remarks about Ramsdale’s potential contribution to Arsenal’s future success.

“I was interested to see Aaron Ramsdale’s dad leap to his son’s defence by lambasting Jamie Carragher for his comments during the derby game. Good on him. I feel for Ramsdale. He’s a terrific ‘keeper and made of the right stuff, which is why he’ll turn up elsewhere and go on to have a very good career,” Keys wrote.

Ramsdale himself also posted images on his Instagram of him supporting other teammates

Prior to the match, Mikel Arteta explained his tactical choice to bench Ramsdale. During an interview with Sky Sports, he remarked, “It’s trying to play the way we want to play on the day. I made some calls and left some players on the bench.”

With Ramsdale having made 83 appearances for the club since his 2021 signing, and likely to come back in to the squad for the League Cup game at Brentford, the competition between him and Raya will no doubt remain a focal point as the season progresses.

Then another manager will do the same and be praised for it and we can all move on.