Arsenal had strong representation at the Professional Footballers’ Association awards last night, with four players in the team of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side were impressive last season as they challenged Manchester City for the title before finishing second, and Bukayo Saka particularly shone, with the 21-year-old picking up the PFA Young Player of the Season award after an outstanding season.
Saka, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Aaron Ramsdale were all included in the Team of the Year, which featured the likes of Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kevin de Bruyne.
Ramsdale’s inclusion means that the 25-year-old has ended a streak dating back to before he was born, as he has become the first Arsenal goalkeeper to feature in the PFA Team of the Year since David Seaman, in the 1996-97 season.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Although Arsenal have had some excellent goalkeepers since, with Jens Lehmann winning the Premier League as part of the Invincibles side, and Wojciech Szczesny and Petr Cech both winning the Golden Glove, no one has been able to match Seaman’s achievement until now.
How does Ramsdale compare to his predecessors?
Ramsdale has received criticism at times, but his excellent displays last season earned him a fully deserved spot in the Team of the Year.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
The England international arrived with much scepticism over his transfer, particularly as he replaced the popular Bernd Leno, but Arsenal have not looked back.
Before Leno, who joined in 2018, Arsenal had a few years of struggle in the goalkeeping department. Although Cech won the Golden Glove, he was a disappointment in an Arsenal shirt after years of success with Chelsea.
Szczesny was popular and performing well when he won his Golden Glove in 2014, but a drop in form and discipline problems saw him leave the club, and he is currently Juventus’ number one.
Between Lehmann and Szczesny, the club had Manuel Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone, amongst others, and it is no wonder that it has taken so long for an Arsenal goalkeeper to receive recognition for their performances.