Aaron Ramsdale insists he wasn't aware that Tottenham overtook them in the Premier League table before Arsenal's win over West Ham.
Spurs sealed a 3-1 win over Leicester City leapfrogging them into fourth spot which piled the pressure on the Gunners heading into their clash at the London Stadium. The north Londoners provided an emphatic response, however, as Rob Holding and Gabriel sealed a 2-1 win for the visitors. Arsenal reclaimed fourth sport and have a clear advantage in the top four race, two points ahead of their city rivals.
But Ramsdale didn't realise that Antonio Conte's men had jumped above them in the table with a win over the Foxes as he went out early for his warm-up before the game against the Hammers which Holding found extremely amusing. He told Sky Sports: "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 had a coming together with Jarrod Bowen as the Arsenal keeper came charging out of his box to challenge the winger. The Englishman fell to the turf and was booked for diving but Ramsdale defended Bowen insisting he's a "good lad."
He added: "I didn't touch Jarrod Bowen, I was a yard away. 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."
Holding opened the scoring for Arsenal as he steered home Bukayo Saka's corner with a clinical header. It was the defender's first Premier League goal and was delighted to achieve that milestone. He said: "I’ve scored a few Carabao Cup goals but it’s nice to get my first Premier League goal.
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It's likely that the top-four race will go right down to the wire with two points separating Arsenal and Spurs, with just four games remaining. And while Holding reckons it will be "touch and go", he is confident Arsenal can take of business with Arteta's men in control of their own destiny.
He added: "We knew they had scored an early goal. We have to deal with the pressure. We’ll see how we get on until the end of season.
"It’s going to be touch and go at times. If we can control what we do, that’s all we can worry about. We’re going to need everyone, staff included, to do this."
