teased his teammate Rob Holding after the central defender was pressed into emergency action and played a vital role in Sunday’s 1-0 win over .
The former Bolton centre-half has been reduced to a bit-part role this season with summer signing and Gabriel forming an increasingly solid partnership at the heart of Arsenal’s defence
A hamstring injury, however, ruled former Brighton defender White out of today’s London derby which afforded Holding a rare Premier League opportunity.
The 26-year-old repaid Mikel Arteta’s faith with a solid display during which he scored a first ever Premier League goal, before helping his side close out a victory which kept the Gunners 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 first-half 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 win over Leicester City earlier on Sunday which put the pressure firmly 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.’
Ramsdale enjoyed, one splendid save from Declan Rice aside, a quiet afternoon but his heart was in his mouth when Jarrod Bowen went crashing to the floor just before Gabriel’s winning goal under his challenge.
‘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 side of the need to recognise that they prevailed at the London Stadium despite a scrappy performance.
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.’
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