Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is set to miss the game against Chelsea on Saturday evening, according to Arsenal Youth.
The website claim that the 25-year-old will be absent as his wife is about to give birth. He will, therefore, not be in the matchday squad at Stamford Bridge.
It is expected that third-choice keeper Karl Hein will take Ramsdale’s place on the bench, with youth team player James Hillson also travelling with the first team as cover.
Hein has played once for the Gunners’ senior side, conceding 3 goals in the Carabao Cup third-round defeat to Brighton last year.
David Raya will, of course, be in goal to face Chelsea, having replaced Ramsdale as the club’s No.1 last month.
Ramsdale has expressed concern about his lack of game time
While his absence against Chelsea has nothing to do with his future at the club, Ramsdale has spoken out this week on Mikel Arteta’s decision to drop him from the starting lineup. The England international says he is worried that he may lose his place in the national team:
“I need to get back into my club team to keep getting picked (for England) and keep giving the manager a headache because if I’m not, then that’s an easier decision for him.”
Ramsdale has already been linked with a move away from Arsenal
Within days of losing his place to Raya, there were reports linking the keeper with a transfer away from the Emirates. Ironically, one of the clubs that were said to be interested in Ramsdale was Chelsea; this weekend’s opponents.
For now, no decision has been made on his future, and he is expected to be back on the substitutes bench when the Gunners take on Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
