MIKEL Arteta would be forgiven for thinking that he had an easy week ahead while his star players jetted off to represent their countries during the international break.

But nothing, it seems, could be further from the truth after Aaron Ramsdale’s father criticised the manner in which the Arsenal manager dropped his son in favour of new goalkeeper David Raya.

Ramsdale had been the Gunners’ No 1 for the last two seasons and started between the sticks this term in Arsenal’s first four Premier League games. However, that all changed soon after Raya arrived on loan from Brentford in mid-August.

Nick Ramsdale says his son has now “lost that smile”, and dismissed Arteta’s claims that the club has two No 1 goalkeepers that will switch and rotate as the season progresses.

“We did not have a clue [Ramsdale was going to be dropped],” Nick told the Highbury Squad podcast. “I didn’t have a clue, our family didn’t have a clue, [and] Aaron didn’t have a clue that he was not going to carry on playing. All of a sudden, he’s not been played.

“I’m probably saying too much but… Aaron is going to be the cup goalkeeper, and David Raya is going to be the main man unless something happens – an injury or a sending-off. And Aaron’s got to live with that and he is living with that even though he’s not been told it. By anybody.

“Squads evolve all the time, nobody is going to be there forever. David Raya has not pulled up trees so far, but who’s to say he’s not going to. You’ve got to give the guy a chance. Even though the way it’s been done, in my eyes, it’s been wrong.”

Admitting that his son is finding it difficult to remain positive, Nick added: “Aaron lost that smile. And it’s difficult to see him there. We all keep saying, ‘You need to keep smiling.’ And at the moment in time, we haven’t got that smile in him.

“David Raya is a great goalkeeper and it’s not his fault. He’s just come in as a goalkeeper. It’s just like when Aaron came in and Bernd Leno was there.

“Aaron says Raya is a lovely guy and he works hard with him. Aaron is trying to help him as much as he can to settle in with the squad. It’s possibly the way it’s been done, not knowing the reason why.”

Aaron Ramsdale signed a new long-term contract in May. Asked what Raya’s arrival means for his son’s future at the club, Nick said: “I don’t know. Aaron has just signed a new deal for four, or three years with an option for 12 months.

“This is honestly truthful, I’m not spinning the yarn. This is purely me: why would you extend a goalkeeper or any player’s contract and then two or three months later [make a move on someone else]?”