Ramsdale had 'no clue' Raya would replace him - Arsenal star's father
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 14 Nov 2023 15:42 GMT
- 3 min read
Aaron Ramsdale’s father, Nick, has revealed his son was not informed David Raya would become Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper when he joined the club on loan this summer.
Ramsdale, 25, had been Mikel Arteta’s first-choice ‘keeper since his move from Sheffield United in 2021, but he has been dropped to the bench this campaign.
Raya joined the Gunners on loan from Brentford during the summer transfer window and after an adaptation period, he replaced Ramsdale for Arsenal’s away trip to face Everton on September 17.
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Ramsdale has played just twice since then, with Raya in between the sticks for 12 of Arsenal's last 14 matches in all competitions.
Before Raya joined, FootballTransfers exclusively reported the Spaniard was being signed to become Arsenal’s number one rather than as competition for Ramsdale, but the England international was not told this would happen.
Ramsdale has been linked with an Arsenal exit since Arteta’s decision to drop him to the bench, with Chelsea rumoured to be interested, and it remains to be seen if he stays at the Emirates in 2024.
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Either way, Nick Ramsdale, Aaron’s father, has admitted that nobody told his son that he would become second-choice.
What has been said?
Ramsdale senior told The Highbury Squad: “We did not have a clue [Ramsdale was going to be dropped].
“I didn't have a clue, our family didn't have a clue, Aaron didn't have a clue that he was not going to carry on playing. All of a sudden, he's not been played.
“You just have to look at it personally and I'm probably saying too much but: Aaron is going to be the cup goalkeeper, and David Raya is going to be the main man unless something happens, an injury or a sending-off.
“And Aaron's got to live with that and he is living with that even though he's not been told it. By anybody.”
Ramsdale’s current Arsenal contract runs until 2027 and it remains to be seen if he will stay at the club or seek an exit next year.
