Arsenal told to target 23-year-old Aaron Ramsdale replacement from the Championship

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have been encouraged to consider Anthony Patterson as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale. 

Anthony Patterson could be the ideal candidate to take up Aaron Ramsdale’s place in the Arsenal squad this summer. 

Arsenal have already accepted that Ramsdale will leave the Emirates Stadium at the end of the current campaign. The 25-year-old shot-stopper will seek pastures new, having lost his starting berth in north London to David Raya. 

The Gunners have already agreed to pay £27 million to make Raya’s switch to north London permanent. The cost of that deal will be offset against whatever funds can be raised from Ramsdale’s sale. Essentially, Ramsdale’s exit will pay for Raya to remain. 

However, that does still leave one problem for Mikel Arteta and Edu to solve. With Ramsdale gone, the Gunners will be left without a suitable back-up ‘keeper. Hale End academy prospects such as Karl Hein and James Hillson are not yet ready to be the second choice option between the sticks at first-team level.

As such, Arsenal will have to return to the market to find a player who can come in, and slot in behind Raya in the pecking order. It could even be the case that Arteta seeks to bring in a ‘keeper of significant enough quality that he is able to really challenge for Raya’s No. 1 spot, just as he did when he brought in Raya himself to battle with Ramsdale for the starting berth. 

Is Anthony Patterson the man to replace Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal?

Considering this summer quandary, journalist James Benge shared his thoughts on the matter. Speaking to Charles Watts on his Inside Arsenal YouTube platform, Benge said, “his stats look good, Anthony Patterson at Sunderland. I think you need to be, sort of, casting a wide net on this one…I would be looking in the Championship, seeing if there’s anyone good available on a free transfer, that’s what you’ve got to do.”

Anthony Patterson has impressed for Sunderland this season. The 23-year-old is enjoying his second campaign as the first-choice ‘keeper in the Championship. The England under-21 international is an excellent shot-stopper. However, his distribution can be somewhat inconsistent.

Patterson would not be able to come in to Arsenal and immediately put real pressure on Raya for his starting berth, but he could provide a solid back-up option if called upon. He also has huge potential, and could one day succeed the Spaniard. Whether or not Sunderland could be convinced to part with Patterson for a fee that Arsenal would deem acceptable is another matter entirely. In any case, Arteta may also have his heart set on a more experienced option.