19 November 2023 , 12:38
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Aaron Ramsdale has been told to follow the examples of Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay as he faces a fight for his Arsenal future.
Ramsdale had been a mainstay for the Gunners since joining from Sheffield United in 2021, but has been displaced by David Raya this season following his loan move from Brentford. The England international started Arsenal's first four Premier League games before losing his place to Raya in September.
Since then, Ramsdale has only featured in the Carabao Cup with Raya now firmly established as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper in both the Premier League and Champions League. It leaves Ramsdale's future at the club in major doubt, particularly with England boss Gareth Southgate warning him he could lose his place in the squad ahead of Euro 2024 if he continues to struggle for game time.
However, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness believes Ramsdale can learn from the way Maguire and McTominay have persevered at United this season. The pair were both heavily linked with moves away from Old Trafford over the summer, but persevered and have made the most of recent opportunities to start amid a raft of injuries.
And Souness has urged Ramsdale to take a page out of their book, saying in a column for the Daily Mail : "The Arsenal goalkeeper has to show what he is made of and deal with the situation in which he finds himself. Mikel Arteta fancies David Raya more than he does Ramsdale right now, but that can change.
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"I would ask him to look at the example of Harry Maguire. He took all the criticism on the chin, all the disappointment. He dealt with it and finds himself back in the team at Manchester United. Scott McTominay, too.
"He was being pushed out the door at the start of the season, and now he's in the side. That's football. For Ramsdale, this a tough, mental challenge. He cannot point to anything he's done wrong on a consistent basis that has cost him his place in the team. Sport at the highest level can be cruel and can be seen to be unfair."
Graeme Souness has told Ramsdale to follow the examples of Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire (Visionhaus via Getty Images)Souness' comments come after Ramsdale's dad Nick criticised the way Arteta has handled the situation, revealing it has had a huge impact on his son. "Aaron is going to be the cup goalkeeper, and David Raya is going to be the main man unless something happens, an injury or a sending-off," Nick told The Highbury Squad.
"Aaron's got to live with that and he is living with that even though he's not been told it. By anybody. You've got to give the guy a chance for God's sake. Even though the way it's been done, in my eyes, it's been wrong and we can talk about that but it's the decision.
"Aaron's lost that smile to when he was holding onto that ball at this moment in time. And it is difficult. It really is difficult to see him there and we all keep saying you need to keep smiling."