HELPING HANDS
Aaron Ramsdale signing didn’t excite Arsenal fans – but new goalkeeper is already loved by supporters and legends for incredible start after bumpy ride to Emirates
It hasn't been an easy journey for Aaron Ramsdale, but the 23-year-old goalkeeper suddenly finds himself Arsenal's newest fan favourite.
So what do you need to know about the man in the Gunners' goal? talkSPORT EDGE takes a look...
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BUMPY RIDE
Becoming Arsenal's no.1 goal keeper at such a young age isn't something to sniff at, but Ramsdale's journey to becoming first choice hasn't come easy.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Ramsdale spent his youth career at Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United before graduating from the Blades' academy in 2014 and signing his first professional contract in 2016.
Featuring only in FA Cup ties for the Yorkshire side, Ramsdale made a move to the south coast in January 2017, signing for then Premier League Club AFC Bournemouth.
But again, he failed to feature for the Cherries and was sent out on loan to League Two side Chesterfield.
Ramsdale made 19 appearances for the Spirites, but couldn't hit the ground running, failing to save the club from relegation and even scoring an own goal in a 4-0 loss to Accrington Stanley.
Originally meant as a punishment from Eddie Howe for missing the Bournemouth team bus, Ramsdale's luck began to turn in 2019 when he was sent on a successful loan at struggling League One side AFC Wimbledon.
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He then made his Premier League debut for his parent club on the opening day of the 2019-20 season and went on to win Player of The Year.
In August 2020, Ramsdale rejoined his boyhood club Sheffield United, signing for £18.5million on a four-year deal.
But it only took a year for big boys Arsenal to come in and swoop him away for £30m.
All things considered, Ramsdale's path to being Arsenal's shot stopper makes his rise even more impressive.
Even Ramsdale can't believe how far he's come, : “I don’t think I have realised yet how it has happened, and the journey I have had."
FAN FAVOURITE
When Ramsdale initially made his move to the Emirates, however, it's fair to say Arsenal fans didn't warm to him at first.
Being bought off the back of relegation with Sheffield United, Arsenal fans were underwhelmed by their £30m signing.
And when rumours began circling around the north London outfit seeking Ramsdale's signature, numerous Gunners supporters took to the keeper's Instagram page, telling him he wasn't wanted at Arsenal.
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But since then, Ramsdale has proved himself to be exactly the sort of signing his new club needed to make.
While Bernd Leno wasn't to blame for Arsenal's worst start to a Premier League season, the only way has been up for Arteta's side since Ramsdale became their no.1 choice.
Playing every game bar the EFL Cup tie since the win over Norwich City, Ramsdale has now kept three clean sheets and seen four wins out of the six games he's started.
Even the most sceptical of Arsenal supporters have now warmed to the ex-Blades man since he's helped them make a U-turn on their dire form.
So much so that the keeper is showing his good sense of humour in matches.
He's definitely fast becoming a fan favourite.
LOVE FROM LEGENDS
It's not just the affection of fans that Ramsdale has won over, either.
Former Arsenal goal keeper and club legend David Seaman has also been by the new Arsenal man.
And the ex-England star even likened Ramsdale's situation to his own when he first joined the club.
He told talkSPORT Breakfast: “There’s a lot of similarities to when I joined Arsenal. I was England’s No.3 at the World Cup in 1990, Ramsdale has done the same.
“I started getting a load of stick because the fans didn’t want me. They were all singing ‘Lukic is better than Seaman’ and ‘You’ll never play for Arsenal’.
“There are some similarities and hopefully he will go on to have a very good career at Arsenal."
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NOT TAKING BEING BETWEEN THE STICKS FOR GRANTED
But despite his fast track to fame, Ramsdale is still keeping his feet on the ground.
Speaking to The on slotting in for Leno, Arsenal's summer signing knew that he shouldn't take his position for granted.
"I just think that the way the team is going, with a certain style of play, I have been brought in to replace him [Leno] and at the moment in time I have," Ramsdale explained. "But that's doesn't mean that it's my shirt for a long period of time."
Leno, who began this season as Arsenal's no.1 but has since been dropped for the 23-year-old, had struggled to stop his club leaking goals at the start of the campaign.
Before he was dropped, the German lost 2-0 to Brentford, 2-0 to Chelsea and then 5-0 to Manchester City.
A far cry from the standard Arsenal fans expect.
Although Ramsdale is right to not be ignorant of the German national team keeper waiting in the wings, his excellent form should keep him in the starting XI - for now.
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HIGH HOPES
The sky seems to be the limit then for Ramsdale, not just at Arsenal but for his country too.
Despite being relegated with Sheffield United a month prior, the then Blades keeper was picked to replace the injured Dean Henderson in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2020 squad.
And given that Ramsdale has showcased exactly how good he can be so far this season, the keeper may not be far off gaining his first England cap.
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Although he currently faces strong competition in the Three Lions squad from fellow keepers Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope, the Arsenal man has still set his aims high when it comes to playing for his country.
“It’s just added momentum and hunger to do well in the World Cup," . "And hopefully I can be a part of that again and hopefully that’ll be to do with a starting role."
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