Peter Schmeichel disappointed with Arteta's decision: I absolutely do not get it



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Peter Schmeichel disappointed with Arteta's decision: I absolutely do not get it
Peter Schmeichel disappointed with Arteta's decision: I absolutely do not get it

In a recent interview, Peter Schmeichel criticized Mikel Arteta for signing Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to Arsenal. The former goalkeeper of Manchester United cannot understand the moves of the Spanish manager. Schmeichel believes that having two goalkeepers who will fight for No.

1 cannot be a good option. ‘I absolutely do not get it,’ Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live, as quoted by METRO ‘I cannot understand how a manager can come to the conclusion that it’s a great thing to have competition for the number one shirt.

Schmeichel believes that the position of goalkeeper is in no way similar to other positions. However, such a decision could create an atmosphere that will only create even bigger problems. ‘A goalkeeper’s position is very reactive.

You cannot create anything on your own, you have to wait for things to happen. You’re now asking your goalkeeper to prove you’re better than the other one. That means you now have to go and do stuff, and you don’t want that.

It’s the one position on the pitch where you just want steady. When you have a competition situation he also plays that game for himself and for that position, and I don’t get it.'

Peter Schmeichel on atmosphere

Peter emphasized that it is difficult for any of them to have self-confidence, considering that none of the goalkeepers can confidently claim that they will be number 1 in the future.

‘What you do is you put a lot of insecurity into the two of them. At the same time, having two challenging for number one, you’re also creating potentially a bad atmosphere in the dressing room because it’s a straight up competition between two guys who will either start or not play.

They need to know if it goes wrong, which it does now and again, everyone makes a mistake and everyone costs a goal, that the manager says, ‘that’s alright, mate, you’re still my number one’. You need to have that confidence. If you don’t, you cannot perform 100 per cent for the team.’