Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has revealed that England teammates Conor Coady and Trent Alexander-Arnold have tried to joke around about the Gunners' position in the Premier League table. It comes after the side have made an ideal start to life during the early stages of the season, sitting top of the division.
Mikel Arteta has guided his squad to 12 wins from 14 games played so far, building a huge five point gap to champions Manchester City in second. It has put Arsenal firmly in the discussion for a title push this season, however a mid-season break for the World Cup may change things drastically.
"We are today, but in football, today and tomorrow is very different. So let’s enjoy the time," Arteta said when asked if his side were in the race, having previously been coy on such discussions. "Do something: just look at the last six years, what Manchester City have done. With the best manager in the world, the best team in the world. They have shown it consistently in every single competition. We have to be very, very respectful of that."
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The World Cup has now seen every side put their season on hold for the tournament for the first time ever, with the host country Qatar changing the usual summer scheduling to the winter due to the climate. It means players that are usually rivals will meet up as teammates as part of their national team squads for the next month.
Given the start to the season, Arsenal have been a huge topic of discussion in the England camp after Kyle Walker was seen telling Bukayo Saka that Arsenal should stop winning. It's extended further than that though as a duo have been winding up goalkeeper Ramsdale too.
He said in the pre-match press conference for Iran: "It’s a lovely position to sit in. Our confidence is high because of what has happened so far this season.
“The banter has mostly come from Conor Coady and Trent [Alexander-Arnold]. They walk around pretending I’ve said ‘we’re five points clear’ every day. Just trying to wind me up.
"It’s healthy at the moment but no one is really thinking about the Premier League. The conversations around the Premier League have died off, and quicker than I imagined, but that’s good for the group that we’re focused on Iran so much.”
The shot-stopper will be hoping to stake claim to the number one spot for the Three Lions during the tournament while also guiding them to a first World Cup since 1966.
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