‘Beyond me’… Pundit says he just cannot believe 25-year-old still has not left Arsenal

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Steve Nicol has admitted that he is baffled by the fact that Aaron Ramsdale remains at Arsenal, insisting that the decision to sign David Raya was completely wrong.

Few would have imagined heading into this season that Aaron Ramsdale would play such a peripheral role for Arsenal this season. For much of his time at the Emirates, the 25-year-old has been the undisputed number one.

However, Mikel Arteta decided to take a gamble in the summer and sign David Raya. Raya has taken Ramsdale’s spot over the last few months. And the Spaniard now appears to be settling into life in North London.

Steve Nicol baffled Aaron Ramsdale remains at Arsenal

Raya played well against Liverpool on Sunday. Nevertheless, the jury is still out on whether Arteta has been vindicated for making the change between the sticks. It has certainly taken the Brentford loanee some time to find some form for the Gunners.

One person who does not believe that Arteta made the right decision signing another goalkeeper is Steve Nicol. Speaking on the Highbury Squad, Nicol suggested that Ramsdale needs to now be seriously considering his future at the Emirates.

“I absolutely still believe that the Ramsdale, Raya thing was absolutely wrong. I don’t think Raya has been any better than Ramsdale whatsoever in goal. Can he ping a ball 30 yards wide to the right or left better? Maybe he can. But I tell you what, the guy’s made, particularly early on, a lot of mistakes. And I guess that stubbornness that Arteta has is why he never made any changes.

“And how Ramsdale’s still at the club is beyond me. I find it interesting. I watch Ramsdale on the sideline. And he always seems to be behind his team. He’s always still shouting, watching the game. The majority of players I played with, if we were sat on the bench, we’d be counting the pigeons in the roof, never mind watching the game. But when you see Ramsdale, he’s into it. He wants his team to win. He wants his players to win, he wants Raya to make saves.

“I mean, what a guy he must be in the dressing room. But at the same time, come the end of the season, he’s going to have to go, I may be a good guy, but where’s my career. He shouldn’t be sat on his backside on the bench. If I’m him, I’m out the door.”

Situation cannot go on much longer

You would imagine that Ramsdale will be already considering his long-term future. Ultimately, he should be heading into the peak years of his career. He will not want to spend that time on the sidelines.

Of course, his goal would be to be a star for Arsenal. He signed a new long-term contract right at the end of last season.

However, the decision to sign Raya suggests that Arteta wanted something more from his number one. There has been no rotation. Ramsdale is now the backup, and probably relying on injury or suspension if he wants another opportunity.

There are likely to be a number of takers in the summer. And Arsenal surely cannot expect to convince Ramsdale to stick around as an understudy beyond this season.