Aaron Ramsdale could have already played his last game for Arsenal.
That is the view of Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth, who believes the English goalkeeper, whose last outing was against Brentford two weekends ago, is unlikely to feature for the club again.
Despite being Mikel Arteta’s first choice number one after signing from Sheffield United in 2021, Ramsdale, 25, has found himself demoted to a backup role this season following the arrival of David Raya from Brentford in the summer.
Although Raya, 28, suffered a slow start to life at the Emirates, the Spanish shot-stopper has since replaced Ramsdale, and looks like he is going to be the Londoners’ first-choice keeper for many seasons to come.
Aaron Ramsdale could have already played last Arsenal game
Consequently, that has left Ramsdale with little choice but to consider moving on in search of more first-team minutes. Among the sides reportedly interested in the out-of-favour 25-year-old are bitter cross-town rivals Chelsea.
And speaking about the possibility of Ramsdale leaving Arsenal once the summer window opens at the end of the season, Sheth, who spoke to GiveMeSport, believes the magnitude of the Gunners’ remaining games, which includes a two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, will leave Arteta with no choice but to stick with Raya.
“He could well have played his last game for Arsenal,” he told GiveMeSport.
“Barring injuries and suspensions, you can’t see a situation where David Raya is not going to start every single game, given the importance it looks like every single game is going to have.”
Since joining Arsenal nearly three years ago, Chesterton-born Ramsdale, who has up to two-and-a-half years left on his contract, has kept 32 clean sheets in 89 appearances in all competitions. Raya’s record is slightly better though — the on-loan 28-year-old, who is set to sign permanently for just £27 million, has kept 13 clean sheets in his first 29 games in all competitions.