Manchester City ‘mental block’ is no more, says Aaron Ramsdale

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale says the club has overcome the ‘mental block’ from Manchester City following their Community Shield win.

The Gunners beat Man City at Wembley on Sunday afternoon to claim their first silverware of the season.

A late deflection off Manuel Akanji saw Arsenal cancel out Cole Palmer’s brilliant strike to take the game to penalties with Mikel Arteta’s side claiming the Shield after Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri missed their kicks.

Prior to Sunday’s game, Arsenal had suffered eight consecutive defeats against Pep Guardiola’s boys.

“We have been working hard [on penalties] for two years. I haven’t had the luck which I needed in previous seasons but we have gone with our plans and it has worked today,” he told ITV.

“I’m not sure [what it represents]. City are a bit behind in their pre-season. For us, it’s a statement. It’s a marker to know we can go and beat Man City in a big game when it matters. We have that mental block gone and we are ready now to push on for the season.”

Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign with a home game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 12.