Kevin Campbell gives prediction for Lens v Arsenal game and says Mikel Arteta has made his decision

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell spoke exclusively to Ladbrokes Fanzone about tonight’s Champions League game at Lens and the goalkeeping situation at the Emirates.

Gunners look too hot for Lens

I expect Arsenal to do well in the Champions League. I’m not going to go as far as to say they can win it, because you need to be a truly special team to do that. You need to be a ruthless team, too. I think Arsenal are just starting to find their feet on that front. Getting to the latter stages is a realistic goal for them, for sure. And then, I suppose, a lot depends on the luck of the draw. You know, who would have had Inter Milan to make the final last season?

You get a decent draw and who knows what might happen? But, the key to it is getting qualified at the earliest opportunity. Get yourself out of the group stage early, so that you can switch your squad around when it comes to the Champions League games. That way you can field some of your other players, and bring the stronger names back in for the Premier League.

This is why this Lens game is really important. They haven’t had a great start to their domestic season, but they have picked up a couple of wins in their last few games. That being said, I’m expecting Arsenal to go out there and win. Arsenal have to win this game and I think they will win it, pretty convincingly. I’m going to go for a 3-1 win.

I truly believe Arteta has made his decision now

A few seasons ago, Arsenal had Bernd Leno and Emi Martinez on their books, and I can remember at the time, so many Arsenal fans were talking about the importance of keeping both. But Martinez knew he wanted to be number one, and if he wasn’t going to achieve that with Arsenal, he was going to go elsewhere. As a fan, you want two top goalkeepers.

The fact of the matter is that Mikel Arteta probably realised that, if anything happened to Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Turner wasn’t that guy. He’s a good goalkeeper, but the manager is probably looking at him in training, his feet maybe aren’t as good as they should be. So what does he do? You don’t go out and buy someone who isn’t going to challenge Ramsdale – you go and get the next best thing.

They’ve brought in David Raya on loan, for £3m, with the option to buy. It’s the perfect opportunity to have a look at him, and see how Ramsdale deals with that competition.

The fact of the matter is this – the manager makes the decisions. I think Ramsdale is a top goalkeeper, as is Raya. But, ultimately, I truly believe the manager has made his decision now – especially after what we saw in the week. I think Raya is Mikel Arteta’s number one.

With Raya coming straight back into the side, especially with the way Ramsdale performed against Brentford in the Carabao Cup, I think Raya is the number one.

It might be a case of 1a and 1b, but I truly believe David Raya is Mikel’s number one.

Aaron Ramsdale will play his part this season

I love Aaron Ramsdale. I love what he stands for. He didn’t put a foot wrong, really, last season. He didn’t make many mistakes. But when you’re a manager going for the title, and the margins are so fine, you’re looking at where you dropped points last season, and you’re trying to improve on those tiny margins. There wasn’t much in it between Man City and Arsenal last season. So what do you do? You have to assess things critically and ruthlessly. All of a sudden, those little mistakes, and those early goals conceded, they’re scrutinised, and, again, it’s fine margins. But when you’re up against a juggernaut like Man City, you’ve got to make these changes to give yourself the best chance.

David Raya probably is the better goalkeeper but, look, there really isn’t much in it. I just think Mikel Arteta has made his mind up now, and I really do feel for Ramsdale, because he’s a top keeper, and he looks like he’s a top guy to have around.

But, let me tell you something. When you’re at a club like Arsenal, losing your place can happen. Things happened to me. They brought in a lad called Ian Wright when I was there, and you lose your place. But what do you do? You get your head down, and you get grafting.

Football is a funny old game, though. All it takes is just one injury and you’re back on it. If you get your chance, and you’re not focused, that’s when people are going to be jumping on your back. Aaron Ramsdale has to be professional, and he is professional. He will play his part in the squad this season, I’m sure of that.