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Aaron Ramsdale 'in no rush to decide Arsenal future'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 23 September 2023

Aaron Ramsdale is reportedly in no rush to decide his Arsenal future despite being dropped for David Raya in the Gunners' last two matches.

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is reportedly in no rush to make a decision on his Gunners future despite his recent demotion from the starting lineup.

Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal forked out £30m to sign the England international from Sheffield United in 2021, and his arrival was met with hostility by a portion of Arsenal fans.

However, Ramsdale has since won over the Emirates crowd with a string of impressive showings, playing a crucial role in helping the Gunners return to the Champions League.

Ramsdale's arrival pushed Bernd Leno out of the club, and the 25-year-old comfortably fended off the threat of Matt Turner, who left after just one season to join Nottingham Forest.

With Turner moving on, Arsenal made a bold loan move for Brentford and Spain shot-stopper David Raya, which is expected to become permanent for £27m at the end of the season.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya pictured on September 17, 2023 © Reuters

Ramsdale initially held his place in between the sticks, but he has found himself among the substitutes for the Gunners' last two victories over Everton and PSV Eindhoven in the Premier League and Champions League respectively.

Raya kept clean sheets in both of his first two appearances, and the Bees loanee is expected to get the nod for Sunday's North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich are said to be keeping a watchful eye on Ramsdale's situation following Raya's promotion, but the ex-Bournemouth man only signed a new deal until 2026 a few months ago.

As such, talkSPORT claims that Ramsdale will not be pressured into making a quick decision over his Emirates future, as he remains settled in North London despite losing the gloves to Raya.

The Spanish shot-stopper has warned Ramsdale that he must "fight" to win his place back in the side, and the report adds that the 25-year-old is prepared to battle tooth and nail to regain his place.

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale on November 3, 2022 © Reuters

Ramsdale has 30 clean sheets under his belt from 83 games in an Arsenal shirt and won his first trophy with the club in the 2023 Community Shield, saving Rodri's spot kick in the Gunners' shootout success.

The England international recorded 14 shut-outs in the 2022-23 Premier League campaign, earning him a place in the PFA Team of the Year, as well as being named the London Football Awards Goalkeeper of the Year.

Earlier this week, Arteta affirmed that he had not decided who would start in goal for Sunday's North London derby, but he was full of praise for Ramsdale's "charisma" and "aura".

"It is hard, but with all the players it's the same. Aaron is an exceptional character and he's got this charisma and aura around him and we all know that and I fully understand that," Arteta told the media.

"It happens with many other players. See the reception everybody gave to Emile the other night, it's sending him a message that we really like him and I really like him and we have to deal with that, but in the end, you have to make the team and the lineup of what you feel and the best way to prepare the game."

Both Arsenal and Spurs head into the blockbuster derby with 13 points from five games, but the Gunners sit two places below Ange Postecoglou's team in the table owing to their inferior goal difference.