Gareth Southgate explained in his England press conference that he chose Aaron Ramsdale over Burnley’s Nick Pope as the Arsenal goalkeeper is playing full of confidence right now.
Ramsdale moved to the Emirates Stadium from Sheffield United for £24m as the summer transfer window reached a crescendo. The 23-year-old arrived in north London to provide competition for Bernd Leno, but has already taken over the first-choice role.
Mikel Arteta has favoured Ramsdale in each of the Gunners’ Premier League fixtures since the last international break. A run that has seen Arsenal win all three matches and concede just one goal after Leno shipped nine.
Southgate could now hand Ramsdale his England bow over their World Cup qualifiers after selecting the Arsenal ace over Pope. He will challenge Sam Johnstone and Jordan Pickford, with Southgate overlooking Pope as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.
“Aaron was with us all summer [at Euro 2020], so we had the opportunity to work with him for a long period of time and get to understand his strengths,” Southgate explained, while justifying his call. “Nick is still, I think, coming back from the injury he had a little bit. And I think Aaron is just in a better vein of form at the moment.
“From Aaron’s perspective, the move to a club with high expectations, a style of play where he’s asked to build with his feet from the back. Which he’s coping really well with, and I think that’s an important factor for us when looking at the biggest matches, in particular, to be able to do that from the goalkeeper.
“So, he’s really adapted well to that move. His performances this season have been full of confidence.”
Southgate delivers Arsenal transfer verdict for Ramsdale
Southgate’s verdict on Ramsdale’s move to Arsenal follows his controlled performance in goal against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday. He may have expected a busier afternoon in the north London derby, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side rarely threatened.
Nonetheless, he did well to deny Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane and particularly Lucas Moura. Tipping the Brazilian’s strike onto the crossbar with his fingertips to shatter Spurs’ hopes of a late comeback. He also started the move that led to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring.
Ramsdale calmly played the ball out of his box under duress from Harry Kane, before Granit Xhaka, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney and Aubameyang quickly countered to double their advantage. With Ramsdale playing the style for Arsenal that Southgate notes he wants to see from whoever he selects for England.
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