Aaron Ramsdale’s father has admitted that his son no longer smiles as he used to after losing his first-team spot at the Emirates to David Raya.
Ramsdale, who was considered one of the finest goalkeepers in Europe, saw Arsenal sign Raya from Brentford on an initial loan deal in the last transfer window. Despite Ramsdale’s excellent performances, the Spaniard has been made the team’s number one.
This situation puts Ramsdale at risk of missing out on a place in the England squad for Euro 2024. His father has shared that his son has lost his usual cheerful demeanour, possibly reflecting the impact of the change in his playing status.
“Aaron’s lost that smile that he showed when he was holding on to that ball,” Nick Ramsdale told the The Highbury Corner podcast.
“It is difficult. It really is difficult to see him there and we all keep saying ‘you need to keep smiling’.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Football can be tough for any player; everyone must constantly work to earn the right to play for their team.
Ramsdale losing the first-team spot might seem unfair, but Raya has been good enough, and we will likely stick with him as long as Mikel Arteta is the manager.
Perhaps in the summer, the former Sheffield United man has to consider leaving the club for a team that will offer him more game time.
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He looks to be a really lovely guy and I’d have wanted him as our number one on that alone. However, top level football is a cruel sport at times and the manager is the one who makes the tough decisions.
I’d like AR to come into contention again as he wears his heart on his sleeve but that is looking more likely only if Raya is injured or makes too many blunders. I don’t follow stats, but if Raya’s are better then …😔 for Ramsdale’s chances
Actually recently Ramsdale talked about loosing concentration in matches and the only thing he said was that he used the chance of rival fan booing him so as to sign along with them so as to concentrate that might have led to Arteta bringing Raya to arsenal because he couldn’t again risk having a goalkeeper who losses concentration in matches you can look into Ramsdale’s conversation with Ian Wright even Wright was shocked to hear him say that.
A chance to self reflect, improve, and step his game up. Be ready to seize an opportunity when it presents itself. No guarantees at top level professional football at a competitive club.
Have not read Ramsdale complaining himself, so hopefully he is improving his game and preparing to win back his number 1 spot.
Needs to be earned, not given. Raya has been fortunate to be gifted his chances, has not earned them in my opinion. Raya has not shown he is a level above Ramsdale with his own gaffs and errors of judgement.
Ramsdale has never commented about his managers choosing Raya over him and that shows his maturity as Arsenal goalkeeper. He knows when he arrived there someone went through the same situation. He knows that should Raya get suspended or get injured he is there. When Arsenal wins is a team effort so as when they lose. But people who think they know better, and they are above M A start making noise. It is time that they learn that Arsenal in a team of players and managers and fans and is not a one man show and not even about England players or fans/ supporters. Ramsdale was never Southgate’s number one even when he was number one at Arsenal anyway.