Aaron Ramsdale teased his Arsenal teammate Rob Holding after the defender was pressed into emergency action and played a key role in Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham.
The former Bolton star has been reduced to a bit-part role this campaign with Ben White and Gabriel forming an increasingly solid partnership at the heart of Arsenal’s defence
The 26-year-old repaid Mikel Arteta’s faith with a solid performance during which he scored a first ever Premier League goal, before helping his team close out a victory which kept them ahead of Spurs in the race for fourth place.
Holding was almost embarrassed when it was put to him that he looked shocked to have headed his team into a lead before Ramsdale’s pointed remark, referring to his teammate’s recent hair transplant.
‘It only took six years and a new hairline,’ said the Arsenal No.1 who claimed he had no knowledge of Tottenham’s victory over Leicester City earlier on Sunday which put the pressure on Arsenal ahead of kick-off.
‘It was vital we won. I didn’t know the [Tottenham] score before I went out but of course that was important if we want fourth or even third if we are looking higher.’
‘I didn’t touch Jarrod Bowen, I was a yard away,’ Ramsdale added. ‘He’s a good lad Jarrod, he jumped straight up and was honest and said I didn’t touch him. He thought I was going to make contact.’
Arteta, meanwhile, was delighted for Holding but warned his team of the need to recognise that they prevailed at the London Stadium despite a scrappy display.
He said: ‘We showed incredible spirit because when we could play the way we wanted to play we had to find a way to play the way they prefer. We adapted. You have to find a way to win all the time to win – forcing mistakes, being brilliant, digging in, clean sheets.
‘I am really happy, especially for Rob Holding as he hasn’t played the amount of minutes he deserves. He was man of the match today. He is always there when we need him.’
