‘This can’t be right’…David Seaman says he messaged Arsenal player after what he saw him do last season

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David Seaman has admitted that he messaged Aaron Ramsdale to question something he noticed him doing for Arsenal last season, after spotting Emiliano Martinez do similar at the weekend.

Emiliano Martinez came to Aston Villa’s rescue on Sunday. The Argentinian kept a clean sheet at Goodison Park as Unai Emery’s side played out a goalless draw with Everton.

Martinez made an amazing save to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin when the striker was sprinting through. But David Seaman was just as intrigued by what Martinez did just before the save, with the 31-year-old running towards his goal with his back to play.

David Seaman questioned Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at one stage last season

Speaking on Seaman Says, Seaman suggested that he saw Aaron Ramsdale do similar for Arsenal last season and felt compelled to ask the Englishman about it.

“It’s not in the goalkeeping books if I’m honest, taking your eye off the ball. It was different. And I’ve seen Aaron do that as well. I saw Aaron do that last season. I can’t believe I’ve just said that phrase because that really annoys me, because he’s not been doing it this season. I saw him doing it last season and we actually took a photograph of him doing it with his back to goal, with the guy with the ball at his feet and I freeze framed it, and I sent it, and said, ‘this can’t be right, mate’. But then you see Martinez doing it,” he said.

“The reason that they’re doing it is because it’s the fastest way back into position. And everybody talks in goalkeeping about don’t cross your feet, shuffle side to side. But it’s always the fastest way to get back into position, and that’s exactly what Martinez was doing, although it is risky.”

Goalkeepers will have done their research on taking that risk

Goalkeepers taking risks is seemingly becoming more and more common. Obviously, they are expected to use their feet a lot more and have some composure on the ball.

They will have done their research. They will probably have statistics suggesting that they are less likely to concede if they initially turn their back on the game to get back into the right position.

In fairness, with the game moving at a rapid pace, it would have been difficult for Calvert-Lewin to beat Martinez from distance. He would not have been able to steady himself. Of course, he would have been capable of doing it. But more often than not, he would probably miss.

Very occasionally, goalkeepers will probably be made to look foolish when they are lobbed while facing the wrong way. But clearly, the likes of Martinez and Ramsdale are willing to take the risk.