Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have got themselves a player who’s ‘exceptional’ in every way

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has described Aaron Ramsdale as “exceptional since the day we signed him”.

The Gunners signed the 23-year-old in August last year for a fee that could reportedly rise to £30million.

At the time, there was a mixed reaction from the Arsenal fanbase.

Some questioned his credentials in wake of back-to-back relegations with Bournemouth and Sheffield United.

Others, meanwhile, wondered whether £30million on an apparent back-up goalkeeper was worth it.

Seven months on, and virtually nobody is criticising Ramsdale any more.

It didn’t take him long to not only become first-choice, but to become a key player and fan favourite.

Indeed, the goalkeeper won Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for October and November.

Ramsdale has helped the Gunners surge into the top four of the Premier League and win five matches in a row.

Arsenal have nine wins from their last 11 top-flight matches, and have conceded just seven goals in that run.

After the Gunners’ win over Leicester, Brendan Rodgers described Ramsdale as the best English goalkeeper.

On Tuesday, football.london asked Arteta what he made of his Foxes counterpart’s comments.

“Well, first thanks to Brendan for thinking that way,” replied the Arsenal boss.

“I think Aaron has to take those words to give him confidence and support in what he’s doing.

“I always said he’s been exceptional since the day we signed him, not only on the pitch, but what he transmitted, what he brought to the building, to the club, outside with his character and personality.

“And that’s the kind of people that we want to bring to the club.”