Michael Owen has praised Aaron Ramsdale as an ‘incredible’ signing for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal after there were initial ‘question marks’ when he first moved to the club from Sheffield United.
In 2021, Arsenal paid then-relegated Sheffield United £30 million (Sky Sports) for Aaron Ramsdale, but Michael Owen thinks that the transfer deal now ‘looks cheap’.
With the Gunners sitting at the top of the Premier League table, Aaron Ramsdale has been an ever-present for his side that have an eight-point lead over second-placed Manchester City.
When Ramsdale first arrived, he didn’t get the number one goalkeeping gloves straight away because Bernd Leno was the main man for Arteta.
But after defeats in their opening three matches, the tide changed, Ramsdale was brought into the fold and now the rest is history.
That was the right call from Arteta because, as Ian Wright mentioned, Ramsdale is a ‘level above’ Leno, who is now at Fulham.
Over the course of the season, Ramsdale has kept 12 clean sheets from his 28 matches and Michael Owen was full of praise for the 24-year-old, as he told Premier League Productions (19/03/23 at 2:55 pm).
“Absolutely (vital to Arsenal in their title push),” said Owen. “Hats off to him. Lots and lots of question marks when he first signed. He has had relegations on his CV.
“I think a lot of people raised their eyebrows, at the money and the fee, for him. But he has been brilliant this season. The bravery. His decision-making and he is good with his feet.
“I think the modern-day goalkeeper now needs to be exceptionally good with their feet – He has been a great signing and one of the big parts of Arsenal’s success this season.
“Well, now, it’s the most incredible signing, isn’t it!? It looks cheap now. You have got somebody here who could play for 10+ years. It has been a great bit of business.”
PUSHING TO BE ENGLAND’S NUMBER ONE?
For many years now, Jordan Pickford has been England’s number one, and whilst he has had his troubles with Everton, when on the international stage, he hasn’t put a foot wrong and has been a different animal.
But it’s high time that Gareth Southgate started handing caps to the likes of Ramsdale and Newcastle United’s Nick Pope, in order to increase competition.
The duo have been outstanding this season, with one looking to overachieve with his side and secure Champions League football, after losing the League Cup final to Manchester United.
Whilst Ramsdale might just top the lot and help Arsenal become champions of England for the first time in nearly two decades.
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