Arsenal have been busy in the transfer market this summer as they look to correct the wrongs from last season, where they finished eighth in the Premier League and missed out on European football for the first time in over two decades.
The north London club secured two signings on Friday. Martin Odegaard has returned to Emirates on a permanent move following an impressive loan spell, and Aaron Ramsdale has arrived from Sheffield United for a transfer fee in the region of £24million.
As per reports, this figure could rise to £30million including add-ons. This huge price tag has divided opinion among Arsenal fans. Now let’s look at why the Gunners splashed out the cash for Ramsdale.
The former Bournemouth player is considered one of the most promising shot-stoppers in England. He was also part of the Three Lions’ Euro squad that reached the final of the competition. One of his assets is the ability to use his feet brilliantly. His distribution is really good, and he rarely gets caught under the pressure.
The ability to complete passes and beat the press makes the Englishman a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s philosophy of playing out from the back. In recent times, Arsenal goalkeepers have made poor decisions while playing out from the back, and most of these errors led to an opposition goal. Ramsdale is excellent in deciding when he has to go long or when he has to make a chipped pass to steadily build the attack.
The 23-year-old is as good with his hands. He boasts an impressive save percentage and is also outstanding in one-versus-one situations. He lacks command in the box and that of his one of his weaknesses.
Former Gunners goalkeeper, David Seaman, has backed Ramsdale to succeed in north London. He admitted there are similarities between his transfer and this one. The club legend believes Ramsdale can gain the support of fans by performing well on the pitch.
It is true that this is a lot of money for a backup goalkeeper, but in this modern-day market, it has become customary to pay such huge sums for a ‘homegrown’ player. What this does is, it frees up a space for an outfield foreign player.
This is important for planning transfers, as only 17 foreign players are allowed in the squad as per rules formulated by the Premier League. The Englishman can certainly provide competition to the current number one, Bernd Leno.
This healthy competition can elevate the game of both the players. If he continues to work hard, he is well on track to become the club’s main man between the sticks in the long run.
The Emirates club have secured the services of a talented young player in Ramsdale. While the fans’ doubts are justifiable, they should remain patient and should not be so quick to judge him based on the price tag. This deal has the potential to pay dividends in the future.
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