Aaron Ramsdale’s former teammate says he should leave Arsenal, he’s been in the same position

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has endured a difficult year since losing his starting spot, and now looks set to leave.

Ramsdale was a solid performer for two seasons under Mikel Arteta, but the Spaniard signed David Raya from Brentford last year, who usurped the Englishman in the pecking order.

After a shaky start, Raya showed why Arsenal made the right decision, with his superior sweeping ability proving vital as he won the Golden Glove.

Ramsdale is now ready to depart, but finds himself in a tough situation as clubs are reluctant to meet Arsenal’s asking price for the 26-year-old.

His former teammate at AFC Bournemouth, fellow goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, has now encouraged him to depart Arsenal, and he has been in Ramsdale’s shoes before.

Asmir Begovic encourages Aaron Ramsdale to leave Arsenal

Speaking to talkSPORT, Begovic praised Ramsdale’s ability but pointed out that given his desire to play, a summer exit would be the best solution.

“I mean, with how good Aaron is, I would (leave Arsenal this summer). He is too good not to play,” Begovic explained.

“I know that’s the luxury of Arsenal and these top clubs who try to have two elite world-class goalkeepers on the books, but it gets really difficult.

“So it’s got to be pulling on Aaron’s strings, he wants to play, he’s too good not to play. It’s not easy of course with other factors such as valuations to be met, but I think if you are him he’s too good not to play.”

Begovic knows Ramsdale well, with the pair working together at Bournemouth before Ramsdale usurped the Bosnian in the pecking order.

“I am a big fan. We used to work together at Bournemouth. He was really young at the time. We worked together, we speak a lot, we still speak to this day. I wish him nothing but the very best and I hope he gets the right opportunity.”

Asmir Begovic has been in similar situation to Aaron Ramsdale

Begovic was a highly-regarded goalkeeper during his time at Stoke, but they made the surprising move to sign wonderkid Jack Butland in 2013.

Begovic remained the first choice at Stoke for two more seasons, with Butland on the bench or out on loan, before the Englishman replaced him and Begovic moved to Chelsea.

At Chelsea, Begovic played a backup role to Thibaut Courtois, replacing Petr Cech, who moved to Arsenal in the summer of 2015.

READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window

Begovic, like Ramsdale now, quickly realised that he wanted to play regularly rather than hardly featuring as a backup, and after just two seasons at Chelsea, he departed for Bournemouth.

Ramsdale, like Begovic was in 2015, is too good to play a backup role, even if Raya is the superior option for Arsenal, and a move this summer could see him regain his confidence with regular football.