Arsenal were already assured of their place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League before their match against PSV Eindhoven, allowing Mikel Arteta to hand Aaron Ramsdale his debut in the competition.
Arsenal’s £30m goalkeeper took to social media to celebrate the latest milestone in his career.
After playing such a crucial role in Arsenal’s returning to Europe’s premier competition, Aaron Ramsdale has had to bide his time before making his bow in the tournament.
He watched from the bench as summer signing David Raya played the first five matches in Europe this season.
The Spanish goalkeeper has been under intense scrutiny ever since taking Ramsdale’s place in the side in September.
Raya has been described as one of the ‘biggest disappointments’ in the Premier League, while Jamie O’Hara believes he could cost Arsenal the chance of winning the title.
Mikel Arteta has put his two goalkeepers under the microscope with his comments this season, suggesting that he doesn’t have a first choice and could switch between the two mid-game.
That hasn’t happened yet and Raya appears to have established himself as Arsenal’s number one.
However, Aaron Ramsdale can take plenty of confidence from making his Champions League debut for Arsenal against PSV last night.
Although he couldn’t keep an elusive clean sheet, he was tested on plenty of occasions and stood up well to the shots he faced.
He didn’t have Arsenal’s strongest defence in front of him either, with Cedric Soares handed his first start of the campaign.
Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale celebrates Champions League debut vs PSV Eindhoven
Posting on Instagram after the match, Ramsdale said: “I’ve waited for that feeling for a long time! Honoured to make my champions league debut with this club. On to the knockouts.”
Teammate Reiss Nelson, who was also making his first Champions League start, replied: “What a guy!”
While club legend Ian Wright loved seeing the 25-year-old back between the sticks.
Ramsdale couldn’t do anything about Yorbe Vertessen’s goal early in the second half but aside from that had a strong game.
The England international made four saves, including two from shots taken inside the box.
He only misplaced six of his 35 passes, all of which were long balls, but he didn’t play his defenders into trouble with his short-range passing.
There’s every chance that Ramsdale will drop out of the Arsenal team at the weekend despite his performance against PSV Eindhoven.
He has at least given Mikel Arteta something to think about which could be relevant heading into the January transfer window.
Ramsdale has big decision to make next month
Although Ramsdale appears to be very popular at the Emirates among his peers and supporters, that won’t be enough to convince him to commit his long-term future to the club if he’s not playing.
The timing of the injury to Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope has meant that links between Ramsdale and a move to St. James’ Park have quickly surfaced.
The issue for Ramsdale is a permanent transfer up north could see him end up on the bench again once Pope is fully fit.
However, Arsenal are unlikely to agree to a loan move to a team that could potentially be a rival in the Premier League this season.
All this means that Ramsdale is stuck in limbo unless Arteta gives him another chance ahead of Raya.
That doesn’t look forthcoming any time soon and he may have to force Arteta into a decision sooner rather than later for the good of his career.
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