Is Ramsdale the answer to Arsenals goal keeping problem?
Arsenal fans initially went into a meltdown when news came out that their beloveth team was preparing to cuff out in excess of 28million pounds to sign relatively unknown English stopper, Ramsdale, during the just concluded summer transfer window.
They preferred far cheaper options like Cameroonian Onana from Ajax for just 7 million pounds. Although he is still serving a dope suspension till November later in the year, they felt current number one Leno was still good enough to man the post, hence divert the funds to strengthen other key areas like getting a striker or central midfielder instead.
It was looking all bleak considering the two last teams Ramsdale lined up for ended up been relegated with Sheffield United the last on his role call, but just as the rumours were refusing to go, the club made an official bid of 24 million which was quickly rejected by his then employers.
To cut the long story short, Arsenal finally signed him on a permanent transfer with figures quoted close to the 30 million mark considering add-ons and bonuses. The fans cried and wailed that the club directors and football handlers had done a terrible job and only paid that amount because he was British, same thing they did with Ben White who they signed earlier for 50 million pounds.
But just 3 games into the season, Ramsdale has displaced German stopper Leno as the clubs first choice keeper while also keeping a clean sheet against Norwich, a game that Arsenal so desperately needed to win and get points on the board considering they had lost the previous 3 conceding 9 goals in the process.
Pundits were quick to identify the role and impact Ramsdale had on the game after the final whistle was blown. His ball distribution from the back, composure while on the ball and commanding presence in the 18 yard box was all common highlights spoken about.
Compared to Leno, he was quicker to get the ball up the field to initiate attacks and communicated well with his defenders. The big gamble by manager Arteta had paid-off and his decision to drop Leno justified.
He is also in line to retain his position in their next game against Burnley; Arsenal fans are beginning to see why he is worth every penny spent on him over the summer. Some section of the fan base have also used his performance to send soft jabs to former Arsenal goal-keeper Martinez who left the club after winning the 2020 FA cup final. He was supposed to stay and challenge Leno for the number one spot, but instead left and signed with Aston Villa in a move worth 20 million pounds, now they say it took just 3 games for Ramsdale to do what he couldn’t do for years.
It’s still early days but if his performance is anything to go by, Arsenal might have just secured a vital piece of the puzzle that has hunted the team for too long.
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