One Arsenal star urged to push for January exit, Arteta plan could hold him back

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Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Aaron Ramsdale to push for a move away from Arsenal.

It is likely that Aaron Ramsdale is currently weighing up his future at Arsenal. The 25-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium this season.

Having been the Gunners’ first choice shot-stopper for the last two seasons, Ramsdale now finds himself fulfilling a back up role behind David Raya.

The north London club signed Raya on a season-long loan deal in the recent summer transfer window. Arsenal are set to pay £27 million to convert the move into a permanent transfer. 

Ramsdale will get an opportunity to impress Mikel Arteta this Saturday, though. As a loanee, Raya is unable to play against his parent club and Arsenal are due to face the Bees in a Premier League clash this weekend.

However, even if the England man produces a fine performance, he is unlikely to work his way back into the manager’s plans. It is clear, at this stage, that the Spanish ‘keeper is now Arteta’s first choice between the sticks.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Ramsdale plans to stay at the north London club and fight for his place. However, Gabby Agbonlahor has now urged the four-cap England international to push for a move this winter.

What next for Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal?

Discussing the goalkeeper’s future options on talkSPORT (22/11/2023, 08:57), Agbonlahor said, “If I’m him, I’m leaving 100%. Arteta tried to make out like he’s got two number ones and he can make subs with keepers. Let’s be honest, since he’s said that, it’s been Raya non-stop.”

“Raya’s his number one, there’s something about Ramsdale he’s not sure of. If I’m Ramsdale, he could miss out on the Euros with England if you’re not playing for another six months.”

“If I’m Ramsdale, definitely in January, I’m pushing that through, but will Arteta block it and say ‘no, I want a top number two?’ That’s the problem.”

It is certainly true that Ramsdale’s prospects of involvement at international level will suffer should he continue to miss out on game time at club level. It may be the case, that for the good of his career, he now needs to move on from Arsenal.

There is no doubting that Ramsdale loves the club. He has publicly discussed the pain that losing his starting berth has caused him. The player’s father has also spoken out about the hurt that Ramsdale has suffered. Ultimately, though, he is good enough to start for plenty of other top flight sides and needs to prioritise his chances of regular involvement.

Arteta is likely to want to keep Ramsdale around until the end of the current campaign at least, though. If Ramsdale were to leave in January he would need replacing with a new signing, which is a task that Arsenal could do without.