David Seaman has told Sky Sports News (30/3, 12:40) that Aaron Ramsdale is ‘brave’ after telling FourFourTwo he would ‘excel’ if Mikel Arteta makes him the next Arsenal captain.
The Gunners are set to be without a skipper next season as Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract this summer. He took over the armband in December when Arteta stripped the role from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following a disciplinary breach before his release.
Granit Xhaka has previously held the role of captain at the Emirates Stadium, but Arteta is unlikely to reinstate the Swiss. Other candidates include Kieran Tierney, who has worn the armband this term, as well as Norway skipper Martin Odegaard and centre-back Gabriel.
Gabriel, Ramsdale and Tierney have shown their leadership skills at times this season with vocal presences in the defensive third. Goalkeeper Ramsdale, in particular, has stood out with his commanding presence in the net since his £30m transfer from Sheffield United.
As for Odegaard, Arteta has often hailed the midfielder’s leadership since his initial arrival on loan from Real Madrid. The Spaniard also noted earlier this month of the £34m signing, via the Daily Mail: “He is moving in the right way [to being an option for the captaincy].”
Seaman feels Aaron Ramsdale is ‘brave’ saying he’d ‘excel’ as Arsenal captain
Ramsdale hopes he has done enough during his debut season in north London for Arteta to consider him as a candidate for Arsenal’s captaincy. The England international would also welcome the Spaniard simply promoting him into a leadership position at the Emirates.
“I’d take the responsibility, but that’s down to the manager,” Ramsdale said. “Just to be told ‘you’re in a leadership role’ – I’d relish whatever. You never turn down a captaincy, and I think I’d excel if I was given the armband. But that’s down to the boss.”
But Arsenal icon Seaman is unsure if Arteta should agree with Ramsdale and name the 23-year-old as his new captain. The former Gunners goalkeeper has doubts over making those in goal the skipper, even if the current north London shot-stopper has impressed this term.
“He’s brave,” Seaman said. “But you don’t often get goalkeepers as captains because you’re right at the back. So, then you’ve got to pass your message on to the defenders, to midfield and all that sort of thing.
“Obviously, the captaincy is going to be up for grabs at the end of the season. Will Aaron get it? I’m not sure, I don’t know whether it’s a good thing that the goalkeepers get it.
“Hopefully, he gets back from injury really soon. But the season he’s having is amazing, and that would be a right cherry on top. Season like that and becoming the Arsenal captain? Hmm, not bad.”
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Fellow Arsenal icon Paul Merson has also suggested Ramsdale should not be Arteta’s next captain before. Gunners hero Ray Parlour has also claimed he would only give the summer signing from Sheffield United the armband if he were a centre-half and not the goalkeeper.
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