Arsenal are expected to conduct business in the goalkeeper department at the end of the season as Aaron Ramsdale’s future at the Emirates Stadium continues to be uncertain.
The England international was Mikel Arteta’s first choice number one for the last two seasons after his move from Sheffield United. Having helped transform the Gunners’ style of play of playing out from the back, Ramsdale has been forced to play second fiddle to David Raya this year.
Raya arrived on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent last summer from Brentford. Ramsdale has been limited to just six Premier League outings this season with just two coming since Raya arrived – the two games which the Spain international was unavailable for.
His lack of game time has prompted rumours linking the 25-year-old with a move away from north London in the summer. A list of clubs have been reportedly monitoring his situation and Arteta’s clear preference of Raya could see Ramsdale move on.
He has continued to be named in the England squad and is expected to be part of Gareth Southgate’s squad that goes to Germany for the European Championship this summer.
So, with that being said, here’s the latest on Ramsdale’s future at Arsenal..
Arsenal scout replacement
Arsenal are considering making a move for Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Bento this summer, according to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb. The Brazilian has impressed his displays in South America with Chelsea and Inter Milan also keen.
The 24-year-old has been at Paranaense all his career and recently made his debut for the Brazil national team in the 1-0 win over England.
England lifeline
England boss Gareth Southgate has insisted that Ramsdale’s lack of game time at club level will be overlooked, for now. The 25-year-old has been second choice to Jordan Pickford since joining the Three Lions squad.
However, Southgate has claimed that the goalkeeper “clearly” needs to be playing more regularly if he’s to be involved long-term. “We have picked the three goalkeepers we think are the best,” he said last month.
“It’s not ideal that Aaron’s not playing. But he showed last week, to respond to the mistake the way that he did, that he has the mental resilience to play for England. In that position on the pitch, in particular, that’s crucial.”
Chelsea interested
Prior to the January transfer window, Premier League rivals Chelsea were said to be keen on Ramsdale. The injury to Robert Sanchez only added to the speculation before Mauricio Pochettino decided to give Djordje Petrovic a consistent run in the team.
However, the goalkeeper position continues to be one of concern at Stamford Bridge and a move for Ramsdale could still come to fruition.
What Ramsdale has said on problems
In October, Ramsdale admitted that he was “suffering and hurting” after losing his place as Arsenal’s number one. “Because it’s one of the first times it’s happened with the situation, it has been difficult,” Ramsdale said.
“There are times where you’re doing the right thing but it’s the wrong thing and if you don’t do it, it’s the wrong thing. So it’s a double-edged sword.
“There’s a lot … a lot of attention. It’s a position where it’s famously said if you’re not spoken about, it means you’ve done a good job. There’s a lot of talk at the minute. Whether it is me or David who plays we need to be able to just focus and play but at the same time, it’s a strange, big headline.
“It’s one that we’re working through as a club and it’s one that the manager puts in front of us and we have to deal with it. That is what we are doing.
What Arteta has said
Arteta has hinted that talks over Ramsdale’s future will take place in the summer following the Gunners’ 2023/24 season.
“The connection, on a personal level, goes both ways very much,” the Spaniard told reporters in March. “I am really happy to make the call that we made as a club to sign him, because it was very controversial to start with.
“We helped a lot to change his career in a really powerful way. I am really happy that he came here and he has done what he has done for us so far.”
He added: “Now is the season, now is tomorrow, now is what we have done today and how can we improve tomorrow.
