Would signing Aaron Ramsdale be a mistake?

Aaron Ramsdale

Would signing Aaron Ramsdale be a mistake?

By Jonny Bray

Aaron Ramsdale has been linked with a move to Arsenal since the end of this summer’s European Championships.

Despite not being England’s first, or even second choice, Sheffield United’s number one could be on the verge of one of the shock moves of the transfer window.

Sky Sports are going as far as to report that the Gunners are about to make a third bid worth around £18 million plus add-ons.

But is Ramsdale worth signing?

Some Arsenal fans have been shocked about the transfer fee being discussed and are worried that it suggests Ramsdale could be brought in, not as back up for Bernd Leno, but as Mikel Arteta’s first choice.

While Ramsdale has proven he is a competent operator this summer, many will point to his performances for Sheffield United last season and say that he is not up to the standard that Arsenal need to be hitting if they’re to compete this year.

Others have pointed to the plethora of impressive young goalkeeping talent, not just in Europe but in England as well, that could prove a better option than Ramsdale.

However, the 23-year-old, has proven that he’s no slouch. He wouldn’t have been selected for Bournemouth, or signed by Chris Wilder at Sheffield United, unless he had some apparent qualities.

Clearly Arteta has been drawn to him as well, suggesting there is something impressive about the youngster’s performances.

Sign him up

Ramsdale, at 23-years-old, would be a long-term investment for Arsenal.

At that age, he could be Arsenal’s number one for over a decade.

He’s made 75 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth and Sheffield United, two sides that have asked a lot from such a young keeper.

If Jordan Pickford has taught us anything this summer, it’s that a goalkeeper’s performances can vary greatly depending on the team they have around them.

When given the assurance of a Harry Maguire or a John Stones in front of him, Pickford proved that he was a very capable and mature goalkeeper.

Sam Johnstone

In contrast, when Pickford has Michael Keane in front of him, he understandably looks far more erratic.

It’s quite plausible that this could be the case with Ramsdale, who has not been blessed with the most impressive defences in front of him at Bournemouth or Sheffield United.

Furthermore, he proved this summer that he’s good to have around the squad.

If he were brought in to shadow Leno for a season or two, he doesn’t seem like the type of character who would throw his toys out of the pram.

In fact, if this summer is anything to go by, it appears he can be trusted to sacrifice his personal goals for the good of the team.

Pursue other options

Anyone who watched Ramsdale last season could see that he looked out of his depth at times.

While he was never fortunate enough to have a watertight back four in front of him, he has still committed three errors leading to goals during his Premier League career.

That is too many for a goalkeeper at any level, let alone Arsenal’s number one.

It should also be added that while Arsenal’s defence is stronger than Bournemouth’s, it can hardly be called impressive.

Though it has arguably improved under Arteta, it is still not the cohesive system Arsenal fans were used to seeing prior to 2006.

To make things worse, very few people can even predict who will be starting in Arsenal’s defence next season.

The only nailed on starter is Kieran Tierney, meaning Ramsdale would not just have to adapt to a new club, but a completely new defence as well.

There is also the matter of all the superior options Arsenal could go for instead of Ramsdale.

Sam Johnstone is reportedly available for £11 million, far cheaper than Ramsdale.

Johnstone was also far more impressive than him last season in a West Brom side that was just as unreliable at the back as Sheffield United were.

Johnstone even overtook Ramsdale in the England pecking order despite Sheffield United’s number one having an extra year of Premier League football under his belt.

If Arsenal are going to sign Ramsdale, they should at least try to sign Johnstone first.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Popular posts from this blog

Player Profile: Zach Awe

Image
Player Profile: Zach Awe By Oliver Gafsen The eagle-eyed viewer would have noticed 18-year-old Zach Awe replacing Takehiro Tomiyasu on the bench in Arsenal's 1-0 victory at Molineux earlier this month. An academy player breaking into the seniors barely a year after putting pen to his first professional contract speaks to how big an impact Awe has made at Hale End. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have already demonstrated the class of our graduates in recent years, so here's everything you need to know about Arsenal's next wonderkid. Background The Young Gun was born to Nigerian parents in Greenwich in 2004 – mid-way through our invincibles season. If that doesn't make you feel like one of the old-timers, nothing will. Palace spotted his promise and snatched him from his Sunday league team, but Awe said: "when Arsenal came calling a year later, it was an opportunity we just couldn't turn down." So clearly, the youngster is a big Arsenal fan who feels a gen...
Read more

Transfer Profile: Ruben Neves

Image
Transfer Profile: Ruben Neves By Jonny Bray It is hard to believe that Ruben Neves is still only 25-years-old.   It feels as if the Portuguese international has been tipped for big things for nearly a decade now.  With the midfielder out of contract in 2023, it appears his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers could be coming to an end.  Understandably, with a player like Neves on offer for a reduced price, clubs around Europe are queueing up to secure the international's signature.  So, after all this time, should Arsenal move for Ruben Neves now, or is it time for the Gunners to turn their attention to a new target?  What would he bring?  Arsenal do not have enough defensive midfielders.  Martin Ødegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka give Mikel Arteta plenty of midfield options going forward, but the Gunners have been found lacking when out of possession this season. Thomas Partey has been in and out of the side due to injuries, a fact that has not hel...
Read more

Where will Arsenal finish this season?

Image
Where will Arsenal finish this season? By Alec McQuarrie Arsenal have made steady improvement over the last few seasons under Mikel Arteta. After finishing 8th in his debut season, the Spaniard oversaw a five-point improvement in his first full campaign.  And last year an eight-point leap followed, which was unfortunately not enough to pip Tottenham to fourth place.  Cruelly, the 69 points accumulated would have been enough to seal Champions League qualification in the previous two seasons.  Looking at the trajectory over the Arteta era, it would be fair to assume a continued improvement this coming season.  After all, with five signings already secured this summer and Alexandre Lacazette the sole first-team player to depart, surely fourth place should be a bare minimum expectation.  Oleksandr Zinchenko offers much-needed cover at left-back and competition for central midfield.  Gabriel Jesus is a proven goalscorer and brings a tireless work-ethic to fulfil...
Read more