“The intention we have” - Mikel Arteta comments on Aaron Ramsdale’s future amid exit rumours

Mikel Arteta has given Arsenal fans fresh insight into the future of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale amid a backdrop of transfer rumours linking the goalkeeper with a departure.

Ramsdale started all 38 games last season for the Gunners as they finished runners-up in the Premier League. He also made 34 league appearances in his first term in North London the season before, as he emerged as the number one goalkeeper ahead of Bernd Leno.

However, this season has proven to be a difficult one so far for the England shot stopper, who was even placed in the PFA Team of the Season last term.

So far this campaign, Ramsdale has been limited to just five Premier League starts and has not featured in any of his team’s opening five Champions League games.

The signing of David Raya, who has played nine league games this season, plus five in Europe, has hindered Ramsdale’s progress and left him behind in the pecking order for England’s Euro 2024 squad this summer.

Ramsdale has openly spoken about his frustration with being on the sidelines due to his desire to start in next summer’s tournament and recent talkSPORT reports have linked him with a move to Premier League rivals Newcastle  United as they look to fill the void left by the injured Nick Pope.

Last month, the 25-year-old was also identified as a target by an unnamed bottom half Premier League side, according to reports from The Mirror.

Speaking about Ramsdale’s future, Mikel Arteta made his feelings clear in an interview with BBC Sport. The Spaniard said: "I want Aaron with us. I am very happy to have two very, very good goalkeepers and Aaron is staying with us. We want to be better, so we want to add to what we already have. That's the intention that we have."

Arsenal travel to Kenilworth Road to take on Luton in their next Premier League match and both Ramsdale and David Raya will be pushing for a start. The Gunners return to action on Saturday in another away visit to Aston Villa, before concluding their Champions League group stage campaign in Holland against PSV Eindhoven.