Darren Bent believes Aaron Ramsdale has proven himself to be one of Arsenal’s best signings in ‘recent history’. He is also in awe of the goalkeeper’s leadership qualities.
The 24-year-old has captivated Bent with his performances for manager Mikel Arteta since moving to Emirates Stadium. Arsenal paid Sheffield United an upfront £24m, rising £6m in add-ons, in August 2021. Ramsdale had just suffered his second successive relegation, too.
Many fans and pundits questioned the transfer at the time having fallen out of the Premier League at AFC Bournemouth and the Blades. But Ramsdale has shown his doubters were wrong between the sticks in north London as a pivotal player in Arsenal’s title-chasing side.
Aaron Ramsdale has been integral to Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge
Arteta has only started Ramsdale and centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes in all 30 of Arsenal’s top-flight fixtures so far this term. The England international has also kept a Golden Glove contending 12 clean sheets. While the Gunners have conceded just 29 goals in 30 matches.
Arsenal could have conceded more than the two they shipped at Liverpool last Sunday had Ramsdale not featured. The shot-stopper produced a captivating performance at Anfield to deny the Reds a win in their 2-2 draw. He pulled off a host of magnificent, instinctive saves.
Darren Bent rates Aaron Ramsdale among the Gunners’ best recent transfers
Ramsdale enthralled Bent against Liverpool but the Arsenal-supporting pundit also believes the goalkeeper’s leadership in the dressing room played a key factor in Arteta targeting his transfer. While his performances in north London place him among their best recent deals.
“He’s been doing that ever since he went to Arsenal,” Bent said on Sky Sports News (15/04, 12:08). “A lot of people questioned it cos he had back-to-back relegations. It was a lot of money. But you have to say, some of the saves he’s made for Arsenal kept them in games.
“The one from Salah is absolutely incredible, little deflection [and] getting a hand to it. But it’s the last one from Konate where, really, Konate should probably score. If that’s a centre-forward, he probably puts it in the net.
“But his leadership qualities, as well, and what he brings to the dressing room I think is why Arsenal went all-out to sign him. And he’s been absolutely superb… He’s been sensational and for me, he’s been one of the best signings in certainly Arsenal’s recent history.”
Ramsdale signed an initial four-year contract with Arsenal running until June 2025 with the option for an additional year. But his displays in the capital have seen the Gunners begin to mull fresh terms. Reports by The Guardian in February noted they will explore a new deal.
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