Ramsdale's CLASSY message to Arsenal and Raya

Cameron Smith

• 4 Oct 2024 19:30 BST
• 3 min read

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has heaped praise on David Raya ahead of his return to the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

Raya, 29, joined Arsenal on loan last summer and he displaced Ramsdale as Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice almost instantly, with the England international demoted to a back-up role.

Raya’s move was made permanent in July and Ramsdale subsequently joined Southampton for €21.4 million in order to secure regular first-team football.

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He will return to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and ahead of the game, Ramsdale was eager to show his appreciation for his replacement at Arsenal.

What has Aaron Ramsdale said?

During an interview with BBC Sport, Ramsdale revealed his frustrations at being demoted, while also praising Raya.

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“Do you know what?” he began. “It used to do my head in coming off the pitch and then my wife would say, ‘Oh, you were on TV five times again today.’

“Why ever someone would then pan to me after someone makes a save or a goal goes in and it pans to me on the bench.

“I do think the story was bigger than what it needed to be. I do think it put pressure on David [Raya] at times as well.

“I did an interview with David Seaman about my new contract and I wanted to emulate him and be there [Arsenal] for eight or 10 years, and a couple of months later I was out of the team.

“I tried my hardest to dislodge David out of the team. I do think now the rewards are showing; he’s started the season incredibly well.

“He was actually the first person to text me on my move here [Southampton] from the boys at Arsenal.

“But no, he was great. He was top and like I say, he has made some big, big saves this season, kept them in some games and just desperate he doesn’t have one of them games on Saturday.”