'I only spoke' - Former Arsenal player opens up on Mikel Arteta and summer exit


Aaron Ramsdale has been speaking following his departure from Arsenal. The former Gunners number one joined newly promoted Southampton in a deal worth £18million upfront and a further £7million in potential add-ons.
The 26-year-old joined Arsenal in 2021 and quickly became number one, but he was replaced by David Raya at the start of last season, with the Gunners making a surprise late loan move for the Spaniard. Ramsdale was never able to recover his starting spot and a departure in the summer window was inevitable, especially with Arsenal needing to raise money to balance their spending.
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Hide AdMuch was made of Ramsdale’s initial dropping, with reports of anger from the Englishman towards his boss. But speaking this week, the goalkeeper made it clear he does not resent the Spaniard in any way. “I only spoke to him (Arteta) last week,” he said. “What he did for me in my time at Arsenal, I can only thank him for and he thanked me for my contribution as well, as a football club getting back into the Champions League, pushing for a trophy.
“Ultimately, as managers do, they have to make decisions that will upset people and he made that decision but we still speak. I'm looking forward to getting some games under my belt here and we have them in a few weeks' time, which will be a nice return.”
Now at Southampton, Ramsdale will battle with Alex McCarthy and Gavin Bazunu, but Ramsdale knows better than anyone that the battle for spots is part of an unavoidable and never ending process. “I think that comes with the territory of having one player in a position,” he added. “It’s down to me to deliver on the pitch, if I don’t then they will be pushing hard behind me.
“I already have a good relationship with them but they’ll be ready to push me but I’ll be ready to defend them off but ultimately it’s all about me and how I perform.”
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