Aaron Ramsdale’s father has revealed that his son is not particularly happy with his game time at Arsenal.
The 25-year-old lost the No.1 jersey to David Raya in September and, speaking on the Highbury Squad podcast, Nick Ramsdale said the current situation is not ideal:
“Aaron lost that smile. And it’s difficult to see him there. We all keep saying: ‘You need to keep smiling’. And at the moment in time, we haven’t got that smile in him. David Raya is a great goalkeeper and it’s not his fault. He’s just come in as a goalkeeper. It’s just like when Aaron came in and Bernd Leno was there.”
“Aaron says Raya is a lovely guy and he works hard with him. Aaron is trying to help in as much as he can to settle in with the squad. It’s possibly the way it’s been done, not knowing the reason why.”
Fans on X have been discussing whether Ramsdale should leave the Emirates, with many uncertain about what the future holds for the England international:
If I was him I would leave
— wynand swart (@wynandswart5) November 14, 2023
No chance!
— Dave AFC (@ddogbraham) November 14, 2023
You can’t have Buffon and Neuer (in their prime ) on one team at the same damn time. No ways. One has to go
— Andrew Miles (@PandulaMiles) November 15, 2023
He is feeling what Leno went through also. If he is fearing to fight for his place he should go.
— Denis Junior (@DenisJu71197108) November 14, 2023
Be good he left. Too good to be Raya’s substitute.
— Terfa Hemen (@terphill) November 14, 2023
Stay and keep pushing lad
— ebrima bah (@ebrimab90304867) November 14, 2023
He should leave… not that I want him to but why’s a talent like him going to stay on the bench! I honestly don’t think there would’ve been that much difference in performance if Ramsdale was in goal prior to Raya.
— Ilhan Caylak (@ICsportsfitness) November 14, 2023
Arteta has made it clear who his No.1 is
The fact that Ramsdale is only playing in domestic cup competitions tells you that manager Mikel Arteta has made his mind up about the keeper.
There is, of course, still a chance that the Gunners boss will do a U-turn but the longer that Ramsdale remains out of the team for Premier League and Champions League fixtures, the less likely it is he will return to the lineup (unless Raya suffers an injury).
Will Ramsdale leave Arsenal in January?
At the moment, it is believed that the former Bournemouth and Sheffield United keeper is willing to stay and fight for his place but, with the European Championships on the horizon, he knows that he needs to be playing or there is a danger that he will dropped from the England squad.
Chelsea and Newcastle have already been linked with bids for Ramsdale so we shall see if he decides to move when the January transfer window opens.
