Aaron Ramsdale has recently lost his place as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper to David Raya, but Graeme Souness has urged him to stay and fight, citing Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay as two players he can learn from.
Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay have both fought back under Erik Ten Hag to win their places back in the Manchester United first-team and Graeme Souness has urged Aaron Ramsdale to do the same under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
Since signing for Arsenal in the summer of 2021, Aaron Ramsdale quickly displaced Bernd Leno of the number one shirt and has been a constant starter in the Premier League for the Gunners ever since. However that changed just over a month ago away at Goodison Park when David Raya started his first game for Mikel Arteta as Ramsdale dropped to the bench.
The England international started Arsenal’s first four Premier League games this season, with David Raya starting the last eight in the league, as well as all four games in the Champions League group stage. Ramsdale is yet to make his UCL debut, despite being a big reason why the Gunners find themselves back in Europe’s elite competition for the first time in seven years.
It leaves Ramsdale’s future at the club in major doubt, with speculation growing ahead of the January transfer window. England boss Gareth Southgate warned Ramsdale that he could lose his place in the squad ahead of Euro 2024 if he continues to struggle for game time.
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However, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness believes Ramsdale should remain at Arsenal and fight for his place under Mikel Arteta, citing Maguire and McTominay as great examples. The pair were both heavily linked with moves away from Old Trafford over the summer, but decided to stay and have both taken their chances in recent weeks.
Graeme Souness on Aaron Ramsdale: “The Arsenal goalkeeper has to show what he is made of and deal with the situation in which he finds himself. Mikel Arteta fancies David Raya more than he does Ramsdale right now, but that can change.
“I would ask him to look at the example of Harry Maguire. He took all the criticism on the chin, all the disappointment. He dealt with it and finds himself back in the team at Manchester United. Scott McTominay, too.
“He was being pushed out the door at the start of the season, and now he’s in the side. That’s football. For Ramsdale, this a tough, mental challenge. He cannot point to anything he’s done wrong on a consistent basis that has cost him his place in the team. Sport at the highest level can be cruel and can be seen to be unfair.”
Arsenal travel to Brentford after the international break which presents a chance for Aaron Ramsdale to prove himself again, as David Raya is unavailable due to being unable to play against his parent club after joining the Gunners on an initial loan deal until the end of the season.
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