Arsenal told PSV clash is perfect time to hand one player his Champions League debut

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Iconic former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman wants to see Aaron Ramsdale make his Champions League debut for the club.

Arsenal are set to take on Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven this evening. Mikel Arteta is likely to heavily rotate his starting XI for this match, as so little is riding on the result. This could see Aaron Ramsdale featured between the sticks.

The Gunners have already qualified for the knockout rounds of the continental club competition as group winners. As such, this final group stage clash is something of a dead rubber for the north London club.

That being said, Arteta will still want a win above all else. He will want the club to carry some momentum into this weekend’s all-important Premier League encounter with Brighton.

If he is given the nod, Ramsdale will be desperate to give a good account of himself in what would be his maiden appearance in the Champions League. Having lost his regular starting place in the side to David Raya earlier this season, he has watched every match in the tournament so far from the bench.

Aaron Ramsdale is owed Champions League debut by Arsenal

The 25-year-old shot-stopper deserves to get his chance to represent the north London club in Europe’s elite club competition. After all, he played a huge part last season in helping the side qualify for the Champions League after an extended absence.

It has been a tough season for the four-cap England international so far. He has spoken out publicly about the pain that losing his No. 1 spot has caused him.

If he does get to play this evening, he will be determined to impress. However, Raya is now so clearly Arteta’s first choice in that role that it seems, no matter what Ramsdale might do, he won’t be able to win his starting place back with a strong showing against PSV.

In truth, the former Sheffield United man’s days at the Emirates Stadium are likely numbered. If not in January, he will surely move on at the end of the season, as at this stage in his career he needs to be playing regularly. If he wants to retain his place in Gareth Southgate’s England plans, Ramsdale must be a starter at club level.

Putting the long-term future aside, though, David Seaman hopes to see Ramsdale feature against PSV. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said, “Champions League is a free hit, so you never know, we might even see Aaron Ramsdale playing for his Champions League debut that would be very nice.”