'Phenomenal' England and Arsenal star set for Emirates departure

The Arsenal and England international Aaron Ramsdale is ready to leave Arsenal as he has no intention of spending another season sitting second-best to Mikel Arteta's preferred goalkeeping option of David Raya.

According to HITC, Ramsdale - who was described by ex-England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman as 'phenomenal' - is ready for a move this summer after it soon became apparent that, rather than being on equal footing with the Spanish gloves-man, he was in fact the secondary option.

Raya joined the Emirates side in the summer of 2023 from London and Premier League rivals Brentford after Arteta decided he wanted two first-choice keepers. 28-year-old Raya joined on a loan deal but it is expected that the Spanish international will make his move permanent this summer.

According to recent reports from HITC, Ramsdale had been prepared to fight for his place in the line-up but after realising he had been fighting a losing battle, the 25-year-old is now looking for a home that will give him more minutes. This season, the England international has made five appearances in the Premier League, one UEFA Champions League appearances, two Carabao Cup and one FA Cup appearances for the Gunners.

It has since been understood that Ramsdale's representatives are aware of potential interest in him, with Premier League rivals Newcastle eyeing up him. The former Sheffield United star has also attracted noise from Europe but with Eddie Howe's current number one, Nick Pope, out with a shoulder injury, Ramsdale could prefer the option of remaining in England.

Ramsdale, who has four international appearances, has been with the Gunners since 2021 and in his 77 Premier League appearances for them has secured 28 clean sheets with only two goals being conceded by his own error, according to the Premier League statistics.

In March 2023, Ramsdale won the Goalkeeper of the Year award at the London Football Awards and won Premier League Save of the Month. He was also named in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year for the 2022/23 season. The 25-year-old ex-Cherries star also made his UEFA Champions League debut in Arsenal's final group stage match, a 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven.