Aaron Ramsdale has told the Daily Mail that advice from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta proved ‘invaluable’ in the Gunners selling him on a transfer from Sheffield United last summer.
Arsenal raided Bramall Lane to hand Arteta a new shot-stopper, initially with the view of understudying Bernd Leno. The Spaniard believed Ramsdale had the potential to take over as his first-choice goalie. But the Blades rebuffed multiple offers before the deal was done.
Ramsdale eventually arrived in north London on August 20 for an initial £24m, which could rise to £30m with add-ons. Reports by The Star note the bonus clauses relate to his efforts at the Emirates Stadium. So, Arsenal did not have to pay out following his England debut.
Gareth Southgate awarded Ramsdale his England breakthrough following a superb start in Arsenal’s net. The 23-year-old displaced Leno as Arteta’s starting stopper in the Gunners’ fourth Premier League game this season and would keep five clean sheets in eight games.
Arteta has not looked back with any regret on his decision to bench Leno for Ramsdale as Arsenal’s first-choice. The Chesterton-born stopper now has 11 clean sheets in 19 games across all competitions for the Gunners. Including shutting Liverpool out on Thursday night.
Ramsdale hails Arteta role in Arsenal transfer
Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg at Liverpool marked Ramsdale’s first clean sheet since his transfer against another top-six side. Yet his switch from Sheffield United may not have taken place without Arteta’s involvement.
“I was getting a lot of stick but fortunately I didn’t see it. Thirty million pounds is a lot of money for a No.2,” Ramsdale said.
“To have Mikel’s guidance was invaluable. He was adamant he wanted me. Unlike a lot of managers, Mikel was a top-class player recently and this helps him communicate and understand a player’s needs more than some.”
Ramsdale has shut out Norwich (twice), Burnley, Brighton, Leicester, Watford, Newcastle, Southampton and West Ham in the Premier League. He also kept a clean sheet in the Carabao Cup at West Brom in August before denying Liverpool in midweek.
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