Arsenal splashed out £24 million for the services of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale during the summer transfer window. That fee could be set to rise to £30 million - but the early signs indicate that is money well spent.
The Englishman has been very impressive this season for the Gunners and his impact is one of the reasons why the North London club have been able to turn their form around and march up the table.
Ramsdale has been able to dislodge Bernd Leno as the number one keeper at Arsenal. His performances so far this season are unlikely to change that pecking order any time soon. The new Gunners shot stopper has kept five clean sheets from his last eight matches between the sticks.
In Arsenal’s next Premier League assignment, Ramsdale will need to be at his best again. The Gunners are the outsiders in the Liverpool v Arsenal betting for the game at Anfield. It is likely to be a game the in-form keeper is relishing.
Arsenal should continue to be one of the popular Premier League betting tips this season. Arteta has been able to not only survive a period where his job was under threat, he has got the Gunners moving in the right direction. They will now be targeting a return to Europe.
Ramsdale Should Get Better With Age
Although the goalkeeping position was not the obvious area that Arsenal needed to improve in the summer, supporters will be delighted that Ramsdale is now at the club. He may fill the role between the goalposts for many years to come as he is likely to keep on improving.
Some of Arsenal’s best keepers over the course of history have excelled, and in some cases been at their best, in their 30s. With more experience of the highest level, Ramsdale could go on to become of the best keepers in Europe.
The former Bournemouth and Sheffield United man is a player who may also be a future Arsenal captain. He shows a lot of passion on the field and has done a great job organising the backline in front of him this season.
England Role Up For Grabs Ahead Of World Cup
With Ramsdale impressing in the latest Premier League campaign, his performances would not have gone unnoticed by England boss Gareth Southgate. The Arsenal number one will be pushing for the starting position with the national team ahead of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Ramsdale was part of the England squad for Euro 2020 but he did not feature at that tournament. He is still waiting to make his debut for his country but that may not be far away.
There is strong competition for the gloves with England as Jordan Pickford always seems to do well when he wears the national team jersey. The Everton man impressed at Euro 2020 as his performances were excellent.
Ramsdale and Pickford will be giving everything for their respective clubs to earn that starting spot at the 2022 World Cup. England go into that competition as one of the strong contenders to lift the trophy.
The challenge for Ramsdale now will be to maintain the high standards he has set at Arsenal. If he continues at the level he is producing, it could be a great season for him and the Gunners.