Arsenal: 3 positives of Aaron Ramsdale signing

The pushback from Arsenal supporters over the signing of Aaron Ramsdale reached disgraceful new lows before the goalkeeper was even pictured holding the shirt aloft. A transfer that warrants a few eyebrows being raised, it also never validated despicable online abuse.

Having to limit the number of comments on his social media posts after being flooded with messages telling him not to sign for the club – which is the PC version of the foul language that was actually used – the line from constructive criticism to impermissible abuse was crossed by miles.

Arsenal have sorely needed a new goalkeeper this summer following Mat Ryan’s six-month loan coming to an end, and with initial plans set out, the decision to focus on securing a young and homegrown stopper led them to the Sheffield United man.

Wanting to add to the British core already at the club, negotiations began with the Blades for the 23-year-old over a fee that would dwarf what was usually expected of a backup goalkeeper. After all, Bernd Leno is still the number one a the club.

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Arsenal: 3 positives of Aaron Ramsdale summer transfer as Mikel Arteta lands £24m goalkeeper from Sheffield United

Discussions were on the brink of collapsing only for the south Yorkshire outfit to lower their demands, a decision aided, but not dictated, by Ramsdale’s desire to return to the Premier League and play for The Arsenal.

On a deal that could total £30m if certain add-ons are met, Arsenal have committed to the idea bringing Ramsdale in and feel the outlay is warranted, despite reservations from many supporters over the Stoke-born man’s ability and track record.

Equally, with a right-back and forward still on the agenda this summer, the £24m initial outlay is understandably deemed a significant amount of money to part with for a player who isn’t expected to walk straight into the first team.

He is, however, an Arsenal player (potentially eligible to face Chelsea) and despite all the external concerns over his acquisition there are plenty of positive aspects to his addition. Here are three.

Aaron Ramsdale Was Heavily Scouted by Data Analysts

When Ramsdale’s name first appeared to be linked with Arsenal, the natural reaction was, firstly, to disregard the speculation as it was such a far cry from the Andre Onana deal that had fans pleading for the club to pull off.

Then, when it became clear that the rumours had basis, the finger began being pointed at Inaki Cana for what was deemed to be another terrible recommendation having been key to bringing in Alex Runarsson last summer.

Working with the Icelandic stopper gave him something of an inside track, and while Runarsson was never intended to be fighting for the number one slot, even as backup he was hopelessly out of his depth.

In this case, however, Arsenal sounded out Ramsdale as their first choice target with the pursuit led by a team of data analysts who earmarked the 23-year-old as the best option on the market for what they were after. They admired his footwork at Bournemouth and with the England Under-21 side, as well as his quick and accurate throwing.

Sure, when the profile in question was a homegrown player it significantly limited the talent pool to choose from, but this is nevertheless not led by Cana and instead largely aided by those who sounded out Ben White as the prime centre-back target.

Everyone has their own view of Ramsdale – the vast majority being unconvinced – yet the experts on goalkeepers clearly feel differently as it’s rare for Arsenal to ever be investing such an amount of money in this position. You’d like to think they know what they’re doing.

2. Aaron Ramsdale is Still Only 23 Years Old

Looking at Runarsson as an example, the mistakes in his game and nerves he passes on all over the pitch with his mere presence are understandable were they to be coming from another member of the squad, say, Arthur Okonkwo.

Runarsson is 26 years old and Okonkwo is 19 years old. One is excusable and the other is a clear indicator that some traits won’t be coached out of their game.

Ramsdale arrives as a 23-year-old with well over a decade of his career left to play. He is very far from the finished article and boasts some flaws to his game that are understandably worrying, but all of those can be coached.

Whatever chinks there are in his armour can be buffed out.

Richly experienced already, crucially in the Premier League, Ramsdale can be guilty of parrying the ball into dangerous areas when faced with shots. That can be coached. When faced one-on-one with a sprinting striker at length he can be guilty of coming off his line somewhat erratically. That can be coached. Ramsdale also hasn’t adopted a close-range passing style for the past 12 months. That too, can be coached.

Much of the keeper’s development will hinge on having adept staff around him to work on his flaws and embed him into the new methods. At his age and with coaches who believe in his ability, the scope is there for him to usurp Leno sooner than expected, not least if the German continues to falter.

3. Aaron Ramsdale Has Qualities Arsenal Need

With the focus so heavily centred around where Ramsdale’s weaknesses lie it’s become too easy to gloss over the positive aspects of his game.

Playing for two sides over the past 24 months who have shipped an obscene number of goals, the focus has been on the goals that Ramsdale conceded, not prevented. As per goalkeeping analyst John Harrison, close range shots are one of the 23-year-old’s strong point.

While he may struggle at long range one-on-one’s, at close proximity Ramsdale’s lightening fast speed of thought and pace off his line are valuable tools to snuffing out excellent chances for the opposition. Spreading himself wide he charges at the man with the ball with a bravery that is vitally useful elsewhere.

Leno has plenty of critics for his distribution, but his command of the penalty box can also be found lacking. Coming for crosses and claiming high balls are not his forte, whereas Ramsdale is an extremely vocal goalkeeper who comes for deliveries with confidence and calmness, even if his decision-making can be questionable on occasion.

And it’s understandably not perfect because Ramsdale isn’t perfect. Far from it. Statistically, at least, he’s very much an ‘average’ goalkeeper. However, this needs to come with the caveat of him playing in some atrocious defences where anyone facing 20-30 shots per game is going to have to be relentlessly active and focussed.

There is plenty of room for improvement, the like which Arsenal believe is inevitable, and they want that to take place in north London.

As do we.