Aaron Ramsdale transfer hint as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes feelings clear on exit

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hinted that he wants Aaron Ramsdale to stay after reacting to the permanent arrival of David Raya. Ramsdale lost his place as first-choice goalkeeper to Raya last season and has been linked with an exit.

The England shot-stopper started the campaign as Arteta’s No 1 but was displaced by loanee Raya in September. Arsenal’s Spanish head coach insisted that he would use both players – but that did not materialise.

Ramsdale made only six Premier League appearances all season. He has been strongly linked with a move to Newcastle.

However, Arteta has hailed his current goalkeeping department as ‘very talented’ and wants to see more of their connections. It is a hint that the 42-year-old sees Ramsdale staying at the Emirates Stadium.

Reacting to news of Raya’s loan from Brentford being made permanent, Arteta told Arsenal’s website: “David showed us last season what an important player he is for us, so we are delighted he is now officially our player. He is a big presence in our dressing room and we are really pleased to keep working with him.

“We know he will take the strong foundations he put in place last season and build on them in the years to come, and that he will enjoy more success with us.

“We have a very talented group of goalkeepers and I love to see connections like the one I see in our goalkeeping unit.”

Ramsdale is part of the England squad for Euro 2024. Jordan Pickford has been the established first-choice goalkeeper since 2017 when he replaced Joe Hart.

But Ramsdale has said that he does not want to spend another season on Arsenal’s bench.

The 26-year-old told talkSPORT: “No footballer wants to not play. I’ve had a tough year personally not playing and I never want to do that again.

“It was tough, it was tough. But I have my release now, I’m now here, I’ve got the greatest honour, the greatest badge on my chest, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if I play a minute or no minutes, it will be the pinnacle for me, the best day ever.

“For the time being I’m probably one of the happiest 26, 27 men in England and hopefully we can make not just us but however many millions at home the happiest as well.”