Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has spoken about his decision to leave Arsenal permanently before the team’s Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
Ramsdale, who was instrumental in Arsenal’s second-place finish during the 2022-23 season, experienced a significant reduction in playing time last season, managing only six league appearances and recording two clean sheets.
With limited chances to feature in matches, Ramsdale opted for a £25 million transfer to Southampton. Since joining his new team, he has started four Premier League matches, earning one draw but conceding ten goals.
In an interview on BBC One’s Football Focus, Ramsdale cited his desire for more consistent game time as the main factor behind his departure. “If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me. I just wanted to play football… Getting out and playing was my aim, so I’m lucky I found myself here at Southampton,” Ramsdale said. He also expressed his admiration for Southampton manager Russell Martin, praising his commitment and passion for the game.
While Ramsdale has moved on, Arsenal has strengthened their goalkeeping options by finalizing the permanent transfer of David Raya for £27 million following a loan spell. Ahead of the upcoming match, football pundit Alan Shearer predicted a win for Arsenal, pointing out Southampton’s recent struggles, including a disappointing performance against Bournemouth.
Arsenal currently sits in third place in the Premier League with 14 points, while Southampton is languishing in 19th place with just one point from six matches. Despite Arsenal’s strong form this season, their record against Southampton has been less than ideal, with only four wins in their last 11 meetings.
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