How Aaron Ramsdale reacted to Arsenal goalkeeper transfer

9 Aug 2023 17:55 BST
3 min read

Aaron Ramsdale, Arsenal, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Aaron Ramsdale could face an uncertain future at Arsenal with the impending arrival of David Raya and the England goalkeeper broke his silence after the Gunners shuffled around their goalkeeping options.

Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Raya from Brentford in a £30 million deal which could see Ramsdale ousted as Mikel Arteta’s number one this season.

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Ramsdale endured a difficult end to last season as Arsenal failed to secure the Premier League title, while Raya has established himself as one of the division’s top keepers since Brentford’s promotion in 2021.

HERE WE GO!: David Raya agreement reached, Fabrizio Romano confirms

With Raya set to join, it pushed backup goalie Matt Turner further down the pecking order at the Emirates, prompting the player to leave for Nottingham Forest for £10m.

The 29-year-old only joined Arsenal last summer but only made seven appearances in cup competitions and will now likely compete with American compatriot Ethan Horvath as Forest’s first-choice shot stopper.

Turner posted a farewell message to the fans on Instagram, prompting Ramsdale to reply wishing his ex-teammate good luck, saying: “Gonna miss you, big guy!”

Raya set to challenge Ramsdale for Arteta’s loyalty

Ramsdale will likely come up against Turner when the Gunners play host to Forest on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, with Raya’s move to the Emirates still yet to be completed.

Raya was entering the final year of his contract with Brentford and was unwilling to sign a new deal, prompting the Bees to look to sell the 27-year-old after signing a replacement in Mark Flekken.

However, despite interest from Tottenham, nobody met Brentford’s £40m price tag and a cut-price deal was eventually agreed with Arsenal, who will pay an initial £25m for the Spaniard.

REVEALED: Why Arteta wants to replace Ramsdale with Raya

Ramsdale will likely be given a chance to hold onto his number one jersey, having only been signed by Arteta two years ago for £30m, with Raya, who has been a long-term target for Arsenal, set to begin his Gunners career from the bench.