Mikel Arteta thinks Aaron Ramsdale’s performances for Arsenal have shown that he is worthy of becoming England's No1 goalkeeper.
Everton’s Jordan Pickford has made himself Gareth Southgate's preferred first choice but the shot-stopper will miss the upcoming Nations League games against Germany and Italy through injury.
That has given Ramsdale the opportunity to stake his claim in the last two matches before the World Cup in Qatar, which kicks off in two months.
Arteta does not think his goalkeeper’s confidence will be impacted by the battle for England's No1 shirt but he believes any selection would be ample reward for his club form.
“I think Aaron is really confident anyway! It would be a good reward for him for what he has done," Arteta told reporters at London Colney.
“I hope he is [picked for the World Cup]. I think it would be great for us and Aaron. He showed in the last year what he is capable of doing. We will be watching and waiting for that decision.”
Arsenal must first face a trip to Brentford before the international break.
It was at the Brentford Community Stadium last season where Arsenal were well beaten by Thomas Frank's side who outran and overpowered their Premier League rivals.
Arteta thinks it should serve as a lesson to his players who need to be up to the physical challenge of returning to their spot at the top of the league.
“When the ball goes in the air with [Ivan] Toney, even Gabriel, he goes like that [spreads his arms out] then he can hold the ball and make you feel this [small]," he continued.
“My players have to be ready [to fight]. We have to be physically ready in this league, not only for physical situations but to read the situations or you are always late. It is the balance that you need.”
