Aaron Ramsdale publicly claims he’d like to be Arsenal’s next captain

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Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has admitted that he would step up and become the Gunners’ next captain if Mikel Arteta offered him the role.

Former Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was stripped of the captaincy, left in January with Alexandre Lacazette given the armband until the end of the season.

But with the French striker out of contract at the end of the campaign, it looks like the role is going to be available ahead of next season and Ramsdale has thrown his name into the mix.

In an interview with Four Four Two, Ramsdale said: “Listen, I’d take the responsibility but that’s down to the manager.

“We’ve got a lot of strong characters, though, and a lot of people who I think would be good captains.

“Just to be told ‘you’re in a leadership role’ – I’d relish whatever. You never turn down a captaincy and I think I’d excel if I was given the armband, but that’s down to the boss.”

Aaron Ramsdale has had tremendous debut season

Following his summer move from Sheffield United, Ramsdale has ousted Bernd Leno and become a vital cog in Arteta’s young side who look on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

From 24 Premier League games this season, the 23-year-old has registered 12 clean sheets. Only Brazilian duo Alisson and Ederson (both 16) have registered more.

After making his senior international debut for England back in November against San Marino, Ramsdale will be hoping his impressive form counts in his favour ahead of this winter’s World Cup.

With Gareth Southgate’s number one Jordan Pickford enduring a difficult season with relegation threatened Everton, Ramsdale will be hoping to steal a march on his compatriot ahead of the tournament showpiece in Qatar.

If Arteta does name Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal’s next captain then that can only bolster his international prospects.