Aaron Ramsdale’s signing did not thrill Arsenal fans – but the new goalkeeper is already beloved by fans and legends for an incredible start after a bumpy ride to Emirates

It hasn’t been an easy trip for Aaron Ramsdale, but the 23-year-old keeper suddenly finds himself the new Arsenal fan favorite.

So what do you need to know about the Gunners’ man in goal? talkSPORT EDGE takes a look …

POTTERY

Becoming Arsenal’s No.1 goalkeeper at such a young age isn’t something to sniff at, but Ramsdale’s journey to becoming the top pick hasn’t been easy.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Ramsdale spent his youth at Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United before graduating from Blades academy in 2014 and signing his first professional contract in 2016.

Only present in the FA Cup for the Yorkshire side, Ramsdale moved to the south coast in January 2017, signing for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth.

But again, he didn’t play for the Cherries and was loaned to Chesterfield, on the League 2 side.

Ramsdale made 19 appearances for the Spiritists but couldn’t hit the ground while running, failing to save the club from relegation and even scored an own goal in a 4-0 loss. against Accrington Stanley.

Originally intended as punishment for Eddie Howe for missing the Bournemouth team bus, Ramsdale’s luck began to turn in 2019 when he was successfully loaned to AFC Wimbledon, a team in League One difficulty.

He then made his Premier League debut for his parent club on the opening day of the 2019-20 season and won the Player of the Year award.

In August 2020, Ramsdale joined his boyhood club Sheffield United, signing for £ 18.5million on a four-year contract.

But it only took a year for the Arsenal big boys to come and win for £ 30million.

All things considered, Ramsdale’s journey to being Arsenal’s goalscorer makes his rise even more impressive.

Even Ramsdale can’t believe how far he’s come, admitting to the Independent, “I don’t think I realized how it went and the trip I took yet.”

FAN FAVORITES

When Ramsdale first moved to the Emirates, however, it’s fair to say Arsenal fans didn’t like him at first.

Being bought back from relegation with Sheffield United, Arsenal fans have been disappointed with their £ 30million signing.

And when rumors began to circulate around the North London outfit in search of Ramsdale’s signing, many Gunners supporters took to the keeper’s Instagram page, telling him he was not wanted. at Arsenal.

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But since then Ramsdale has proven to be exactly the kind of signing his new club needed to do.

While Bernd Leno wasn’t to blame for Arsenal’s worst Premier League start to their season, the only way was open for Arteta’s side since Ramsdale became their No.1 pick.

Playing every game except the EFL Cup draw since the win over Norwich City, Ramsdale has now kept three clean sheets and had four wins out of the six games he started.

Even the most skeptical Arsenal supporters have now warmed up to the former Blades man since he helped them turn around their disastrous form.

So much so that the goalkeeper shows humor in matches.

He’s definitely fast becoming a fan favorite.

LOVE OF LEGENDS

It’s not just the affection of the fans that Ramsdale has earned either.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper and club legend David Seaman was also “really impressed” by the new Arsenal man.

And the ex-England star even compared Ramsdale’s situation to his own when he first joined the club.

He told talkSPORT Breakfast: “There are a lot of similarities with my arrival at Arsenal. I was England’s No.3 at the World Cup in 1990, Ramsdale did the same.

“I started getting a bat load because the fans didn’t want me. They were all singing “Lukic is better than Seaman” and “You will never play for Arsenal”.

“There are some similarities and I hope he continues a very good career at Arsenal.”

DO NOT TAKE BEING BETWEEN THE STICKS FOR GRANTED

But despite his fast track to fame, Ramsdale still keeps his feet on the ground.

Speaking to The Independent in Leno Square, Arsenal’s summer signing knew he shouldn’t take his position for granted.

“I just think the way the team is going, with a certain style of play, I had to replace him [Leno] and right now I have it, ”Ramsdale explained. “But that doesn’t mean it’s my shirt for a long time.”

Leno, who started this season as Arsenal’s number 1 but has since been dropped for the 23-year-old, had struggled to prevent his club from losing goals early in the campaign.

Before being released, the German lost 2-0 against Brentford, 2-0 against Chelsea and then 5-0 against Manchester City.

Far from what Arsenal fans expect.

While Ramsdale is right not to ignore the German national team goalkeeper waiting behind the scenes, his excellent form should keep him in the starting XI – for now.

HIGH HOPES

The sky then seems to be the limit for Ramsdale, not just at Arsenal but also for his country.

Despite being relegated with Sheffield United a month earlier, the then Blades goalkeeper was picked to replace injured Dean Henderson in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad.

And given that Ramsdale has shown just how good he can be so far this season, the keeper may not be far from winning his first England cap.

Although he currently faces stiff competition in the Three Lions squad from fellow goalkeepers Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope, the Arsenal man has always set his goals high when he sets out. is playing for his country.

“It’s just the extra drive and the hunger to do well in the World Cup,” Ramsdale told Evening Standard of his Euro experience. “And I hope I can be a part of it again and I hope it has to do with a starting role.”